Seder Plate

This Seder set was produced by Friedrich Adler, an important member of Germany's artistic avant-garde in the early 20th century. Adler was interested in bringing artistic influence to industrial design and became involved with the Deutscher Werkbund (German Craft Alliance), an organization that promoted collaboration between artists and industry. Adler was invited by the group to create a complete synagogue interior and associated pieces for their landmark exhibit in Cologne in 1914. 
 
The set, along with other Judaica by the artist, was acquired from the exhibition by Julius Cohn, a lawyer and Jewish community leader. Julius’ son William escaped Germany with the objects, narrowly avoiding confiscation by the Nazis. It is rumored that a coffin was used to hide them. Tragically, Adler died in Auschwitz in 1942 and very little of his silver remains, making these exceptionally rare and valuable.
 
In the 1970s, Maurice Spertus befriended the Cohns, today known as the Hill-Page family. Mr. Spertus convinced the family that such wonderful pieces of art should be shared with the public in the context of a Jewish museum. The Adler pieces along with other fine examples of German Judaica were donated to the Spertus Museum in 1972.
 

Note in this Seder set the use of Hebrew as a decorative element, along with flowing, organic forms influenced by Art Nouveau.