A fine example of a rare 19th century Jewish circumcision izmel knife with a typical straight blade and a raised central spine.

This was a specialized surgical knife used by the Mohel in the Jewish circumcision ritual of Brit Milah for infant males. It must have certain characteristics, per Jewish Law, including that it may not stop the flow of blood (unlike the constricting devices commonly used by surgeons and urologists). The blade is made from polished steel and the handles from bone. It is housed in a fitted velvet and silk lined leather case and is signed on the handle Grunewald. The maker was G. Grunewald Königsberg (Kaliningrad, Russia)

• From the Phisick collection