Goblets Passover Pillow by Judy Ross Textiles

Designed by Judy Ross exclusively for the Jewish Museum is this lumbar pillow for Passover. The pillow design is inspired by the four cups of wine drunk during the Passover seder.  The reason for the four cups is to represent the four phrases used in the Book of Exodus describing God taking the Jews out of slavery.  During the seder, the wine should be drunk in a reclined position, as reclining was a sign of freedom. Thus, it is popular to have a pillow for reclining at each chair around the seder table.

 

Judy Ross's deisgns pair centuries-old chain stitch techniques with contemporary design. Each pillow is hand-embroidered using 3-ply hand-dyed New Zealand wool. Master artisans embroider fields of small, dense stiches that add movement and texture to the design. The embroidery is on fine linen. The pillow is completed with a canvas back, invisible zipper, and a cotton pillow insert.