Miniatury macew w zbiorach polskich muzeów i osób prywatnych
Miniatures of matzevot in the Collections of Polish Museums and Private Persons

Summary/Abstract: The article is about the custom of using miniature matzevot as a form of remembrance of deceased family members. The artifacts, whose shape mostly resembled steles and obelisks, and were from a few to about 30 cm high, were stored in houses, and candles were lit in front of them on the anniversary of death. Miniature matzevot were probably made from the end of the 19th century, as part of the custom of using the so-called memorial plaques (Heb. luakh zikaron). After the Holocaust, the custom disappeared. Currently, the few preserved miniatures of tombstones are its testimony. The article is the first broader study of this issue in Polish and includes a description of the custom and a catalogue of 48 objects identified by the author in museums (37 such exhibits are held by the E. Ringelblum Jewish Historical Institute) and in the possession of private individuals.

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