Torah shield. [Europe, late 19th century?].
Repoussé, punched and engraved silver (marked).
Cartouche-shaped plate. In the center are the Tablets of the Law (engraved), supported by two roaring lions surmounting vegetal motifs. Beneath the Tablets is an opening for changeable plaques and beneath it is a vegetal decoration and a cartouche (engraved, inscription unclear). At the top of the shield is a crown surmounting curtains and fringes. On the right and left margins are pairs of roaring lion heads. The surface is punched with tiny dots. On the reverse are three loops and a chain for hanging.
We know of similar shields created in Vienna in the late 19th century, but this shield was possibly created in Romania.
Length: 32 cm, width: 25 cm. Good condition. Missing plaques.
See: Crowning Glory, Silver Torah Ornaments of the Jewish Museum, New York, by Rafi Grafman (New York, 1996), items 113-115.

Torah pointer. [Europe, late 19th century].
Silver, cast and engraved; gilt.
Part of the handle is octagonal, part is spiral and part is cylindrical and plain, with an engraved dedication: "In memory of Hannah Mach widow of Pinchas Toby and her son Yosef" (Hebrew). At the tip of the pointer are a ring and a chain.
Length: 29.5 cm. Good condition.

Torah pointer. Austro-Hungary, late 19th or early 20th century.
Silver (marked), cast, engraved and embossed.
Decorated with a spiraling vegetal motif. At the tip of the pointer are a ring and a chain.
Length: 28.5 cm. Good condition.

Torah pointer. Holland, 19th century.
Silver (marked, maker's mark: LN?), cast.
Octagonal handle narrowing towards the cuff. A flattened ball in the center, the palm is clenched and the pointing finger is slightly bent. The pointer ends with a suspension hook.
Length (including hook): 30.5 cm. Pinhole at upper end.