"Ish Yehudi haya B'Shushan" - Illustrated poster for Purim. [Persian Kudistan, end of 19th century or beginning of 20th century].
Ink and paint on paper.
Colored frame illustrated with flowers, leaves and vases. Inside the frame is the text: "Ish Yehudi haya b'Shushan…". In the center of the leaf is the piyut Tenu Shira V'Zimra written inside two columns. Kurdistan Jews used to sing this piyut before reading the Megilla. The Megilla blessings are written at the end of the piyut.
A similar poster is described by the bibliograph and researcher Menashe Refael Lehman in the Sinai journal (Issue 98, 1986, pp. 74-75): "The piyut Yedidim Barchu was unknown until today. It can be found in various places written on a vellum poster painted in glorious colors with verses from the megillah to be said on Purim. I have recently purchased a poster from an Arab merchant in the Old City of Jerusalem". This is a more exact version than the version publicized by Lehmann.
Leaf, 43 cm. Placed in a frame 32X46 cm. Stains and moisture marks, wear and tear. Not examined outside of the frame.
See: Lights and Shadows, the story of Iran and the Jews (Beit HaTfutzot, the Museum of the Jewish People, Tel Aviv, 2010), pp. 48-49.