Jerusalem, as represented by its name in gold, wears a jeweled crown and floats on a seven-branched menorah represented as a growing vine with buds - Jerusalem is both the religious and secular center of Israel. The illumination is signed (Siena 5758) within the border of the lower left corner. The illumination, in excellent condition, is in pencil, ink, watercolor and gold paste. It will be shipped in an acid free mat.

image dimensions: height - 5 5/8"; width - 14 7/8"

Reuven Benaja depicts a seven-branched menorah extending, as if it were a tree, from a large ewer. Also growing from the container are two vines with leaves and buds that link with the metaphor of menorah as tree. Four idiomatic birds with long necks and beaks stand guard at the four corners and Shadai (acronym for Guardian of the Doorways of Israel, a description and, hence, name for the Eternal) hovering above. The illumination, which is signed (Reuven Benaja) and dated (Siena, 5758) within the lower border, is painted on parchment in watercolor and gold paste. The piece is in excellent condition and will be shipped in an acid free mat.

image dimensions: height - 14 7/8"; width - 8 5/8"

An architecturally complex chanukiah with gold candles and gold trim accompanies the blessings over the Chanukah candles. This fanciful chanukiah is painted on parchment with ink, watercolor, gold paste and pencil. Signed (Reuven Benaja) and dated (Siena 5758), it is in excellent condition and will be sent in an acid free mat.

image dimensions: height - 15"; width - 8 5/8"

Reuven Benaja has illuminated a home blessing with fanciful flower vines growing from two vases. A small bird sits on the left vine and a charming little bumble bee hovers over the right vine. Shadai (acronym for Guardian of the Doorways of Israel) sits over the Hebrew text and the whole is covered overhead with a stylized golden dome. The Hebrew text, reads, May sorrow never enter this gate, distress never visit this place, nor fear ever come through this doorway and may there always be harmony within these walls, contentment and peace in this home. An appropriate gift for newlyweds, a house warming, or for your home on any occasion. The illumination on parchment, which is in excellent condition outside of a minor stain on the right edge that does not extend into the image, is on parchment, and is signed (Reuven Benaja) and dated (Siena 5757) within the lower left border. Pencil, ink, watercolor and gold paste. It will be shipped flat in an acid free mat.

image dimensions: - height - 14 1/2"; width - 8 1/2"

A tiled Mogen David extends toward the viewer along an identically tiled ‘floor' with flowery decorations to either side. In the center of the star lies the scene of a small chai set in a modest landscape as seen through an arched entrance. On the rear of this illumination on parchment, the artist has attached a short note, The reflex (reflection) of Maghe David over the world. The illumination is signed (Reuven Benaja) and dated (Siena 5757) within the lower left border on the corner. The illumination, in excellent condition, is in pencil, ink, watercolor and gold paste. It will be shipped in an acid free mat.

Reuven Benaja and his step-son Even Caredio, two talented Italian illuminators, have collaborated to produce this magnificent limited edition (200) print, Blessing for the Home. The text in the lower center of the image is the English translation of the Hebrew blessing found in the surrounding border. Many of the pictorial elements found in Benaja's illuminations are seen here as well. The English text is contained under a chuppah - a tallis attached to two poles that can also represent the Holy Temple. In addition to pomegranates everywhere, there are vines, leaves, buds, fanciful flowers (one in the shape of a bird's head) and two whimsical birds with beaks extended into pomegranate filled vases sitting atop the two chuppah poles. Above the entire design is the Hebrew word CHAI (life) in gold lettering. This print would be especially appropriate as a gift for newly-weds and would also make a nice present for someone moving into a new home.

The print - a photo-offset lithograph with silkscreen addition (for the gold elements) on Fedrigoni naturale, a paper that has the feel and look of parchment - is signed (Reuven Benaja and Even Carredio) and numbered on the lower right in pencil. The print will be shipped flat.

paper size - 19 3/4" x 13 3/4"