Wooden Relief Plaque, "Jew Chased by Duck", Europe, Late 19th–Early 20th Century. A carved and painted wooden relief plaque depicting an elderly Jewish man in traditional dress fleeing from a goose or duck, while two onlookers stand in the background near a rustic village setting. Rendered in low relief within a shallow molded wooden frame, the scene employs exaggerated facial features and folkloric detail characteristic of European popular imagery of the period. The figure holds a closed umbrella as he runs, while the bird lunges forward in an almost comical but clearly hostile pose, a visual trope widely used in antisemitic caricature of the era to ridicule and dehumanize Jewish subjects through animalization and mockery.
The plaque shows age-consistent wear, surface abrasions, and scattered losses to painted areas, with a darkened patina to the wood. The reverse is plain, with an affixed hanging wire for wall display. Overall condition is stable, with the carving intact and the imagery clearly legible.
Estimated Value $200 - 300
Judaica
