Auction 61 - Rare and Important Items
Miniature Torah Scroll with a Set of Ornaments - Shield with Dedication from 1766, Finials and a Pointer ("Yad")
Opening: $18,000
Unsold
A miniature Torah scroll, with a set of ornaments - a shield, finials and a pointer ("yad"), from the private collection of a French Jewish family.
1. An Italian Torah scroll, ink on parchment. Sephardic scribal script, typical of central or southern Italy in the 19th century. 42 lines per column.
The Torah is scrolled on two Atzei Chaim made of wood with carved wood decorations on top, inlaid with ivory (typical of Turkey).
Enclosed are reports by experts on ancient Torah Scrolls.
Height of parchment: 22 cm. Height of Atzei Chaim: approx. 56 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Tears and holes to parchment in several places. Several membranes are partly detached. Two membranes are written in a different script. Lacking pieces of ivory. Breaks and defects to wood.
2. Torah Shield, [Russia or Poland, dedication from 1766].
Repouseé and engraved silver; Niello craftsmanship; gemstones.
A square shield, arched at the top, decorated with vegetal patterns. Symbolic pillars of Boaz and Yachin are embossed on both sides, topped with two lions sticking out their tongues and supporting a Torah Crown (embossed) inlaid with gemstones. A small case in the center of the shield with space for changeable plaques. Three silver plaques within the case are engraved on both sides and ornamented with Niello work. On the frame of the case appears an engraved dedication (Niello): "…donated by… Yehiel Yosef… for his sons…" (Hebrew). The year 1766 is indicated in the dedication. A suspension chain is fixed on the rear of the shield.
For similar items, see: Treasures of the Torah, from the Collection of the Historical Treasures, Museum of Ukraine, Moscow-Kiev-New York, 2000, items no. 33 and 34.
14.5X10.5 cm. Good condition. Soldering repairs. Bends. Breaks.
3. Pair of Torah Finials. [Iran (?), 20th century].
Silver (marked), engraved.
Finials shaped as a pointed dome topped with a ball. The dome is contained in a cup with margins designed as flower petals with a hexagonal prism at its base. Short chains ending with silver balls are hanging from the cup's margins. The dome, the cup and the ball are decorated with delicate vegetal patterns. Engraved inscription, on one finial: "Ki MiZion Teze Torah…" and on the other finial: "Keter Yitnu Lecha…".
Height: 16 cm. Good condition. One finial is lacking a chain. The other finial is lacking a chain and has a chain that is torn in the middle. Bends.
4. Torah pointer ("yad"), [Europe, late 19th or early 20th century].
Cast and engraved silver.
A spiral Torah pointer, narrowing towards the cuff. At the tip is a decorated cuff and at the top - a crown and a flattened ball in its center.
21.5 cm. Good condition. Crack. Bends.
Enclosed are an embroidered mantle and a sash.
1. An Italian Torah scroll, ink on parchment. Sephardic scribal script, typical of central or southern Italy in the 19th century. 42 lines per column.
The Torah is scrolled on two Atzei Chaim made of wood with carved wood decorations on top, inlaid with ivory (typical of Turkey).
Enclosed are reports by experts on ancient Torah Scrolls.
Height of parchment: 22 cm. Height of Atzei Chaim: approx. 56 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Tears and holes to parchment in several places. Several membranes are partly detached. Two membranes are written in a different script. Lacking pieces of ivory. Breaks and defects to wood.
2. Torah Shield, [Russia or Poland, dedication from 1766].
Repouseé and engraved silver; Niello craftsmanship; gemstones.
A square shield, arched at the top, decorated with vegetal patterns. Symbolic pillars of Boaz and Yachin are embossed on both sides, topped with two lions sticking out their tongues and supporting a Torah Crown (embossed) inlaid with gemstones. A small case in the center of the shield with space for changeable plaques. Three silver plaques within the case are engraved on both sides and ornamented with Niello work. On the frame of the case appears an engraved dedication (Niello): "…donated by… Yehiel Yosef… for his sons…" (Hebrew). The year 1766 is indicated in the dedication. A suspension chain is fixed on the rear of the shield.
For similar items, see: Treasures of the Torah, from the Collection of the Historical Treasures, Museum of Ukraine, Moscow-Kiev-New York, 2000, items no. 33 and 34.
14.5X10.5 cm. Good condition. Soldering repairs. Bends. Breaks.
3. Pair of Torah Finials. [Iran (?), 20th century].
Silver (marked), engraved.
Finials shaped as a pointed dome topped with a ball. The dome is contained in a cup with margins designed as flower petals with a hexagonal prism at its base. Short chains ending with silver balls are hanging from the cup's margins. The dome, the cup and the ball are decorated with delicate vegetal patterns. Engraved inscription, on one finial: "Ki MiZion Teze Torah…" and on the other finial: "Keter Yitnu Lecha…".
Height: 16 cm. Good condition. One finial is lacking a chain. The other finial is lacking a chain and has a chain that is torn in the middle. Bends.
4. Torah pointer ("yad"), [Europe, late 19th or early 20th century].
Cast and engraved silver.
A spiral Torah pointer, narrowing towards the cuff. At the tip is a decorated cuff and at the top - a crown and a flattened ball in its center.
21.5 cm. Good condition. Crack. Bends.
Enclosed are an embroidered mantle and a sash.