Papercuts were popular among the Jews of Poland and Russia in the 19th and 20th centuries. They were also known in Italy, Germany, Holland, North Africa and The Middle-East. Jewish paper-cuts represent a unique form of traditional folk art which had a special significance in the daily life of the community and of the family. They served as ornaments, as religious articles, and frequently took on the attributes of amulets.

Most European papercuts were destroyed during the Second World War. Those which survived, are to be found in museums and private collections. This beautiful book contains over 50 reproductions of papercuts, in full color and with detailed descriptions in both Hebrew and English. The bilingual edition reviews origins, developments, and present conditions of this art. ISBN 965-7141-05-2; Suggested Price: US$29.95. To order directly from the Israeli publisher, please click here, if your browser can view Hebrew. You can also email your request directly to them, at service@booknet.co.il.

About the author: Dr. Giza Frankel, was an internationally renowned ethnologist. For over 50 years, she researched extensively papercuts, costumes, and crafts of Eastern-European Jews. Born in Poland, Dr. Frankel studied at Vienna and Lvov universities, and worked at The Department of Ethnology of The Lvov University until the late thirties. After World War 2, she served as the curator of The Warsaw Jewish Historical Institute Museum. Following her move to Israel in 1950 (with her children Zygmunt and Stella), she worked at The Haifa Museum of Ethnology and Folklore. Dr. Frankel authored many publications on the above subjects, and organized numerous exhibitions.

for more on this publication, please click here or on the image above

papercut 2of2 | feedback | main menu

(c)2002 Etcetera Editions - All Rights Reserved.
You are welcome to print-out this material for your personal reading, but may not modify or sell it