Inside The Home of A Musician, 1940

From Palestinian Heritage

This photograph documents a historical snapshot from inside the home of the Jerusalemite musician and historian Wasfi Jawhariya in Jerusalem in 1940.

The interior design of the room showcases a rich and diverse collection of oriental artifacts, ornate wooden furniture, luxurious carpets, and traditional weapons hanging on the walls.

The objects and dishes displayed on the shelves reflect the lifestyle and cultural heritage of that era, giving it a unique chrarcter.

Due to the events of the 1948 Nakba and the subsequent occupation, the home Wasfi Jawhariya (located in the Al-Naqfuriya neighborhood in West Jerusalem) suffered the same fate as many historical properties in the area as Jawhariya and his family were forced to leave their home under the duress of war and sought refuge in Beirut, where he spent the rest of his life until his death in 1972.

The property was confiscated after the family left. As for the rare heritage collections, artifacts, musical instruments, and precious items shown in the picture, most of them were looted and lost as a result of the war and displacement.

CrossFireArabia

CrossFireArabia

Dr. Marwan Asmar holds a PhD from Leeds University and is a freelance writer specializing on the Middle East. He has worked as a journalist since the early 1990s in Jordan and the Gulf countries, and been widely published, including at Albawaba, Gulf News, Al Ghad, World Press Review and others.

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