Pair of Torah finials. Jerusalem, [Persian-Jewish or Bukharan-Jewish community?], [early 20th century].
Silver, cast, repoussé, engraved, and punched.
Tall, pear-shaped Torah finials, in Persian style. Conical head, surmounted by Star of David with the Hebrew word "Zion". Body decorated in vegetal patterns, and with four medallions each with a depiction of one of the four animals mentioned in the Ethics of the Fathers (Pirkei Avot), namely the leopard, eagle, deer [or gazelle] and lion, accompanied by Hebrew captions with the corresponding quotes from the text in reference to the respective animals: "Be bold as a leopard," "light as an eagle," "fleeting as a deer," "and mighty as a lion". Body of finial supported on cylindrical shaft with spherical ornament at top. Body and head of finials decorated in repoussé, and engraved with vegetal and geometric patterns. Six chains with bells at their ends. Hebrew dedicatory inscription engraved onto shafts: "[…] dedicated by Rahel daughter of Hannah, Yoheved daughter of Rahel."
Height: 30 cm.
A photo of these finials appears on the cover of Willy Lindwer's book, "From Jerusalem with Love".
Purchased in Jerusalem in 1998.