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Torah shield

https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn47650
Collection
Montreal Holocaust Museum
Description Level
Item
Material Type
object
Physical Description
Torah shield : silver plated, cast (moulded), embossed, screwed : silver
Date
1801-1900
Collection
Montreal Holocaust Museum
Description Level
Item
Material Type
object
Physical Description
Torah shield : silver plated, cast (moulded), embossed, screwed : silver
Other Title Information
Ceremonial Artifact
Date
1801-1900
Physical Condition
Excellent
Language
Hebrew
Notes
Oval shape with ornate edges decorated with high-relief leaves, filigree and flowers; the main surface is stippled. At the top, centre, is a Torah crown, attached separately with screws. There are 3 hooks extending from the bottom of the crown, with a chain atached to the centre. Under the crown is a tablet with the Ten Commandments, in Hebrew; standing lions are found on either side of the tablet, supporting it with their front paws; the lions are looking outwards. Below the tablet is a rectangular negative space, set into the shield. At the bottom, centre, is another scroll, with more Hebrew text (see inscription). The chain extending from the bottom centre of the crown is attached to a long, ornate pointer: the tip is of a closed fist, with an extending index finger. Narrative: Torah shield (Torah breastplate) is a shield that in a synagogue is suspended by chains over the front of the Torah. It is usually ornately decorated with embossing to depict symbolic motifs, such as the two columns reminescent of the columns of the Temple of Jerusalem, the Tablet of the Ten Commandments or the Lion of Judah. Attached is a removable small plate upon which is indicated the part of the Torah for current reading. (source: http://www.silvercollection.it/dictionarytorahshield.html)
Accession No.
2011X.58.62
Name Access
MHMC
Places
Eastern Europe, Europe
Archival / Genealogical
Archival Descriptions
Repository
Montreal Holocaust Museum
Images
Less detail