Abe Wintner, who owned the Abe Wintner Judaic Art Co. on Beverly Boulevard opened his store at 7319 Beverly Boulevard in 2010 and filled it with Judaic artworks and ceremonial pieces. Abe’s parents and relatives endured untold hardships during World War II while living in the former Czechoslovakian village, Kosice. Abe was born, while his parents were hiding from the nazis in 1945 in the mountains of Czechoslovakia. Wintner’s father and mother fled their village as the Nazis were advancing in 1943, and lived for approximately one year in the nearby Tatra Mountains.
His father, Eliezer, owned a successful textile business and had considerable wealth. Eliezer Wintner has been credited with saving the lives of over 10,000 Jews who otherwise would likely have perished. He used his money to bribe the Germans and Czech police to allow them to go into the mountains. They survived on very little food.
The Wintner family moved to Belgium, Israel, and later Los Angeles. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Wintner attended a rabbinical school in Baltimore, Ner Israel, where he began collecting antique Judaic art. He saved small increments of money sent by his family for clothing and food and used it to buy antique menorahs, candlesticks, spice boxes, and items used in religious ceremonies. It would turn into a personal desire for collecting artworks that he said represented the strength and resolve of the Jewish people. “It’s the only store specializing in antique Judaica west of New York, ” Wintner said. “I am addicted to it. Some people drink or fool around. This is my addiction — art. Wintner credited his love for art collecting with helping him put the memories of the past somewhat to rest, his store brought a renewed sense of peace to his life.
Abe married Yvonne in 1979 and has 2 children, Dahlia who lives in Raanana, and Yoni living in Los Angeles. Abe has been blessed with 7 grandchildren. Wintner regularly travels to auctions around the country. His collection has grown to include more than 800 pieces, from paintings, drawings, and sculptures to engraved silver and hand-carved wood pieces. Many of the artworks date back 300 to 400 years.
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LOT 28:
Wooden Synagogue Clock, American Circa, 1900
more...
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Sold for: $130
Start price:
$
100
Buyer's Premium: 25%
sales tax: 8.375%
On the full lot's price and commission
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Wooden Synagogue Clock, American Circa, 1900
Synagogue hand-dial clock depicting the times of the beginning of the afternoon prayer services of the Holidays and Shabbat. In the past they would post this clock at the front or entrance of the synagogue on the eve of Shabbat and holidays, sometimes even throughout the week, to notify and to let the congregation prepare for when the start of the services would begin. Reverse side is in- scripted in faded letters "Shabbat Arriving at" for the time when the community would refrain from weekly activities and preparation to welcome the Shabbat and holidays.
Condition: a bit chipped near the top and the two clock hands of the reverse side are missing otherwise in great overall condition
Dimensions; 9.25in H., 9.25 W., 23.5cm H., 23.5cm W.
