Israel - Pair of 70mm Medals, Waiting for the Messiah, King David

Israel - Pair of 70mm Medals, Waiting for the Messiah, King David Searchers for the Messiah Moshe Castel’s inspiration for his mystical painting called "Searchers for the Messiah" is based on an incident from the life of the "Ari", one of the best known mystics from Safed. The painting depicts the "Ari" and his followers reaching out with their arms towards the outstretched arm of the Messiah. The other major idea expressed by Castel, that of "Everlasting Love", is seen in the forms of a man and a woman with arms interlaced in a gesture of mutual giving and radiating eternal love between them. Obverse: "Searchers for the Messiah", Original lithograph in 15 colors. Each lithograph is signed by the artist in Hebrew and English with the letter "C". The word "Jerusalem" in Hebrew and in ancient Hebrew writing. Reverse: Likenesses of a man and a woman with forever interlaced arms. The words "Everlasting Love" (Jeremian 31:2) in Hebrew, English and ancient Hebrew writing. The artist’s signature in Hebrew and English. King David After King David established Jerusalem as his capital, he and the people of Israel together brought the Holy Ark into the city. Their joy was so great that they all came to join the procession and accompany the Holy Ark with harps and tambourines. Throughout the years of the long exile, this procession became a symbol of the Jewish people’s ardent longing for the return to Jerusalem. Chagall portrays David and the dancing procession of Chassidim and pioneers in the Land of Israel, in perfect harmony, in his work "The Entry into Jerusalem" which he created for a mural tapestry for the Knesset. Past present and future of the people of Israel blend together and the picture overflows with joy. The Chagall State Medal, features a detail of Chagall’s splendid work, King David dancing with his harp, on a colorful lithograph. The medal reverse is graced with a Menorah, the seven-branched candelabrum, a detail from a mosaic that Chagall also created for the Knesset.