Tamar was an influential Israeli workshop, active primarily in the mid-20th century (1950s to 1970s), known for high-quality cast brass Judaica and decorative art items. Their pieces are known for combining traditional Yemenite-inspired motifs with a mid-century modern or Brutalist design aesthetic. The company produced a wide variety of items, including menorahs, candlesticks, trays, mezuzah cases, and decorative dishes, often featuring local imagery like the Twelve Spies carrying grapes, the Lions of Judah, or zodiac signs. The pieces were not always consistently marked. Some may be marked with "Tamar" or a "T" stamp, while many others, like yours, may only be stamped with "Israel" or "Made in Israel". Tamar is closely associated with other contemporary Israeli brassware companies such as Hen Holon and Dayagi (which was later handed over to the Hen Holon company). These workshops contributed significantly to a collectible category known as "Israeliana".
The peacock design is a powerful and ancient symbol in Jewish and Christian art, representing immortality, renewal, and resurrection. The bird sheds and regrows its beautiful feathers annually, which makes it a natural metaphor for rebirth and new beginnings. Peacocks are mentioned in the Bible as a symbol of King Solomon's wealth and the extensive trade networks of ancient Israel (1 Kings 10:22). In Yiddish poetry and modern art, the peacock can also symbolize Jewish resilience, optimism, and unity.
The blue/green material in these vintage Israeli items is most likely Eilat stone, the national gemstone of Israel. Eilat Stone is not a single mineral, but a unique, heterogeneous mixture of various copper-based minerals, including turquoise, malachite, azurite, and chrysocolla. Authenticity: True Eilat stone only comes from the ancient King Solomon's mines near Eilat, which are now largely depleted. Your vintage pieces are likely to contain authentic Eilat stone from this specific region, whereas most modern 'Eilat stone' sold in tourist shops is sourced from elsewhere.
The peacock design is a powerful and ancient symbol in Jewish and Christian art, representing immortality, renewal, and resurrection. The bird sheds and regrows its beautiful feathers annually, which makes it a natural metaphor for rebirth and new beginnings. Peacocks are mentioned in the Bible as a symbol of King Solomon's wealth and the extensive trade networks of ancient Israel (1 Kings 10:22). In Yiddish poetry and modern art, the peacock can also symbolize Jewish resilience, optimism, and unity.
The blue/green material in these vintage Israeli items is most likely Eilat stone, the national gemstone of Israel. Eilat Stone is not a single mineral, but a unique, heterogeneous mixture of various copper-based minerals, including turquoise, malachite, azurite, and chrysocolla. Authenticity: True Eilat stone only comes from the ancient King Solomon's mines near Eilat, which are now largely depleted. Your vintage pieces are likely to contain authentic Eilat stone from this specific region, whereas most modern 'Eilat stone' sold in tourist shops is sourced from elsewhere.
