Symbolic container

One of a pair of silver filigree tefillin casings, possibly symbolic rather than for wearing, and presented for special occasions, for example a Bar Mitzvah. The pair was given to Yakov Myer ben Sholem Yehuda Slutzkin, by his uncle in Palestine on the occasion of his Bar Mitzvah, celebrated on 1 October 1921 in St. Kilda's Synagogue, Melbourne.

Tefillin or phylacteries contain scrolls of parchment inscribed with verses from the Torah. Tefillin is worn by observant adult Jews during weekday morning prayers.