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Object numberM2014/022:001
Creator France Sevres
DescriptionHand-painted Sèvres-style antique porcelain plate depicting a magnificent French château. Dark blue rim with gold monogram GJRC (George Judah Rebecca Cohen). A late 19th Century romanticizing genre scene, with no figurative or animal motives usually common for such scenery. Artist's signature LEBER along the left side of the inner golden ring. Reverse with inscription on the top 'Château d'Eu.' and underneath
'Manufactured expressly for George J. Cohen, Sydney 1880'. Except from the artists signature, there is no other Sèvres marking on the plate.
In 1880 the couple returned to Sydney from Maitland and lived in their Engadine house. The Cohens were known for their collection of antiques and interest in old masters paintings, so it is possible that the family relocation was marked by commissioning the pair of decorative porcelain plates from the famous French manufacturer.
This acquisition complements a small group of significant items documenting George Judah Cohen’s achievements, already in our collection. These artefacts bring the Museum on a par with reputable state and independent cultural institutions which hold numerous important memorabilia pertinent to George Judah Cohen. These include the rare, early Australian silver pen and ink stand in the Great Synagogue. It is made with Emu egg and was presented to Cohen at the time of his move to Sydney in 1879 by the Maitland Hebrew Congregation. There is also a bible from 1870 and a prayer book from 1914 which once belonged to George Judah Cohen along with an outstanding portrait painted by Jerrold Nathan, a renowned artist, represented well in major national collections. The State Library of NSW safeguards the exceptional illuminated address presented to Cohen as he left to visit Europe in 1903, and the privately published edition of George Judah Cohen’s Memoir, shortly after his death in 1937. In 1925 George Lambert (1873-1930), an Archibald Prize winning artist, painted a portrait of Cohen as a distinguished and amicable businessman. The artwork is now in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra, and prominently displayed in one of their public galleries.
George Judah Cohen was a devoted family man and was well liked by his colleagues, staff and business partners. He found time to participate in an increasingly busy Jewish cultural life and education. He was present when the foundations were laid for the NSW Jewish War Memorial building now housing the Sydney Jewish Museum. Next time you turn the corner down Burton Street, remember to read the two stone dedication plaques there. You might be surprised to learn that the ‘stone was laid by George J Cohen on 28th February 1923’!
A Jewish patriarch, George Judah Cohen became the acknowledged leader of the community and strong supporter of the Great Synagogue from 1878. During fifteen separate years between 1883 and 1921 he was president of its board of management and was made a life member of the board. It is likely that it was the Great Synagogue's representatives who commissioned the porcelain plates. G.J. Cohen also held high office in such organizations as the New South Wales Board of Jewish Education, the Jewish Literary and Debating Society of Sydney and the local Anglo-Jewish Association.
It is important to note that the Sydney Jewish Museum building corner of the Burton Street and Darlinghurst Road bears two dedication plagues in honour of George Judah Cohen dated 28th Feb 1923, coinciding with the foundation of the NSW Jewish War Memorial building, housing the SJM. This makes this stunning hand-painted antique porcelain plate directly linked to the museum's history and significant place in the Jewish community of Sydney. See Reproductions
(see related Silver trowel M2011/061)
G.J.Cohen's wife Rebecca, née Levy, was an also active charity worker, especially for the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children and the Infants' Home, Ashfield, and was a council-member of Women's College, University of Sydney.
In any case, this plate, together with its matching pair M2014/022:002, represents an example of an Australian colonial Jewish taste and appreciation present in the Jewish community in the end of the 19th C.
A pairing plate M2014/022:002
Post scriptum on 8 November 2015 (see Reproductions)
After some 85 years since his childhood, George Judah Cohen's grandson, Tony Cohen, visited the Museum and was reunited with the special plates. Tony recalled how he, as a nine-year old, had always admired the beautiful plates whenever he visited his grandparents who were well known for their collection of antiques. Tony was not allowed to touch them but his grandmother Re (becca) and grandfather George Judah were happy to share his admiration with him and held the plates so he could admire them as long as he wished. Today in his mid-90s and visiting the SJM to commemorate the NAJEX, Tony was feeling again like a little boy and all his precious memories of his beloved grandparents were coming back. Tony was sharing the special moment with one of his daughters Leone Cohen.
'Manufactured expressly for George J. Cohen, Sydney 1880'. Except from the artists signature, there is no other Sèvres marking on the plate.
In 1880 the couple returned to Sydney from Maitland and lived in their Engadine house. The Cohens were known for their collection of antiques and interest in old masters paintings, so it is possible that the family relocation was marked by commissioning the pair of decorative porcelain plates from the famous French manufacturer.
This acquisition complements a small group of significant items documenting George Judah Cohen’s achievements, already in our collection. These artefacts bring the Museum on a par with reputable state and independent cultural institutions which hold numerous important memorabilia pertinent to George Judah Cohen. These include the rare, early Australian silver pen and ink stand in the Great Synagogue. It is made with Emu egg and was presented to Cohen at the time of his move to Sydney in 1879 by the Maitland Hebrew Congregation. There is also a bible from 1870 and a prayer book from 1914 which once belonged to George Judah Cohen along with an outstanding portrait painted by Jerrold Nathan, a renowned artist, represented well in major national collections. The State Library of NSW safeguards the exceptional illuminated address presented to Cohen as he left to visit Europe in 1903, and the privately published edition of George Judah Cohen’s Memoir, shortly after his death in 1937. In 1925 George Lambert (1873-1930), an Archibald Prize winning artist, painted a portrait of Cohen as a distinguished and amicable businessman. The artwork is now in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra, and prominently displayed in one of their public galleries.
George Judah Cohen was a devoted family man and was well liked by his colleagues, staff and business partners. He found time to participate in an increasingly busy Jewish cultural life and education. He was present when the foundations were laid for the NSW Jewish War Memorial building now housing the Sydney Jewish Museum. Next time you turn the corner down Burton Street, remember to read the two stone dedication plaques there. You might be surprised to learn that the ‘stone was laid by George J Cohen on 28th February 1923’!
A Jewish patriarch, George Judah Cohen became the acknowledged leader of the community and strong supporter of the Great Synagogue from 1878. During fifteen separate years between 1883 and 1921 he was president of its board of management and was made a life member of the board. It is likely that it was the Great Synagogue's representatives who commissioned the porcelain plates. G.J. Cohen also held high office in such organizations as the New South Wales Board of Jewish Education, the Jewish Literary and Debating Society of Sydney and the local Anglo-Jewish Association.
It is important to note that the Sydney Jewish Museum building corner of the Burton Street and Darlinghurst Road bears two dedication plagues in honour of George Judah Cohen dated 28th Feb 1923, coinciding with the foundation of the NSW Jewish War Memorial building, housing the SJM. This makes this stunning hand-painted antique porcelain plate directly linked to the museum's history and significant place in the Jewish community of Sydney. See Reproductions
(see related Silver trowel M2011/061)
G.J.Cohen's wife Rebecca, née Levy, was an also active charity worker, especially for the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children and the Infants' Home, Ashfield, and was a council-member of Women's College, University of Sydney.
In any case, this plate, together with its matching pair M2014/022:002, represents an example of an Australian colonial Jewish taste and appreciation present in the Jewish community in the end of the 19th C.
A pairing plate M2014/022:002
Post scriptum on 8 November 2015 (see Reproductions)
After some 85 years since his childhood, George Judah Cohen's grandson, Tony Cohen, visited the Museum and was reunited with the special plates. Tony recalled how he, as a nine-year old, had always admired the beautiful plates whenever he visited his grandparents who were well known for their collection of antiques. Tony was not allowed to touch them but his grandmother Re (becca) and grandfather George Judah were happy to share his admiration with him and held the plates so he could admire them as long as he wished. Today in his mid-90s and visiting the SJM to commemorate the NAJEX, Tony was feeling again like a little boy and all his precious memories of his beloved grandparents were coming back. Tony was sharing the special moment with one of his daughters Leone Cohen.
Production date 1880 - 1880
Subjectachievers, creative works
Object nameplates
Materialceramic, porcelain
Dimensions
- diameter: 240.00 mm
width: 21.00 mm
Language
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection