Tefillin Attributed to Jacques Dreyfus, Brother of Alfred Dreyfus (France, late 19th Century). A rare and emotionally compelling set of tefillin attributed to Jacques Dreyfus, identified as the brother of the famed French officer Alfred Dreyfus. The ensemble includes the pair of leather battim (phylactery boxes) and long leather straps, together with an original embroidered velvet carrying bag.
The deep red velvet bag is richly embroidered in heavy gold thread with the initials "J.D." on the front and the Hebrew initials ? ? (Yod–Dalet) on the reverse, corresponding to the same initials. A sewn cloth name tag inside the bag bears the handwritten inscription "Jacques Dreyfus." The tefillin themselves exhibit significant age and devotional wear, with visible surface deterioration, handling marks, flaking to the leather, and softening to the edges consistent with prolonged ritual use. The leather straps show creasing and age-related wear. Construction and form are consistent with European manufacture from the late nineteenth century.
Tefillin are sacred ritual objects worn daily by observant Jewish men during weekday prayers, connecting physical action with scriptural devotion. Unlike ceremonial Judaica made for display, tefillin were deeply personal objects, typically acquired for a man's early adulthood and used throughout his life.
Estimated Value $800 - 1,000
Judaica
