One author wrote that "every historical survey of contemporary Israeli art must begin with Boris Schatz and with the establishment of the Bezalel School."
[4] The movement developed a distinctive style combining Biblical and Zionist subjects with Art Nouveau, symbolism and traditional Persian and Syrian artistry.
[5] The Bezalel School produced decorative art objects in a wide range of materials: silver, leather, wood, brass and fabric.
While the artists and designers were European-trained, the craftsmen who executed the works were often members of the Yemenite Jewish community, which had a long tradition of craftsmanship in precious metals, and began to make aliyah about 1880.
[7] In 1915, The New York Times praised the “Exquisite examples of filigree work, copper inlay, carving in ivory and in wood,” in a touring exhibit.