Two Alms Boxes – Morocco – Charity of Rabbi Shlomo Ba-Lahens / Charity of "Bikur Holim," Fez – Made of Sardine Tin Cans

Two Alms Boxes – Morocco – Charity of Rabbi Shlomo Ba-Lahens / Charity of "Bikur Holim," Fez – Made of Sardine Tin Cans
Two alms boxes, Morocco, [first half of 20th century].
Sheet tin; printed paper; glass.
1. Alms box for the Charity of Rabbi Shlomo Ba-Lahens, Ourika, Morocco. On the front of the box, behind a small glass panel, is a slip of paper with the Hebrew inscription (using abbreviations): "This is the Charity of the Holy Rabbi, Versed in Miracle-Working, Rabbi Shlomo Ba-Lahens, May his Virtues Protect us, Amen, anyone who places herein a coin toward the building, may his virtue protect you and your reward shall be doubled in Heaven, the civil servant Simon Shimon Avishadrish of the town of Ourika."
The renowned holy man, Rabbi Shlomo Alshakar – also known as "Master of the Snake," "Son of Lahens," "Ba-Lahens," "Ba-Lhens," and "Balhens" was a great rabbi sent as an emissary from the Land of Israel on a mission to raise funds from the Moroccan Jewish community on behalf of Torah institutions in the Land of Israel. He passed away in Morocco in the 16th century, and his tomb is located in the Ourika Valley, near Marrakesh.
Height: 9.5 cm. Length: 12.5 cm. Width: 5 cm. Rust. Cracks to glass. Old soldering repairs.
2. Alms box for the Charity of the "Bikur Holim" Society, Fez, Morocco. On the front of the box, behind a small glass panel, is a slip of paper with the French and Hebrew inscriptions (using abbreviations): "Société de Bienfaisance Israélite" [Jewish Benevolent Society]; "The Bikur Holim Society, May it be Established in Justice, May the Almighty protect us." The cover and box are products of folk art, and were made from tin, repurposed from cans of sardines preserved in olive oil (the labeling on the sardine cans can be seen inside of the alms box).
Height: 11 cm. Length: 14.5 cm. Width: 5 cm. Rust. Cracks to glass. Old soldering repairs. Cover detached.