The south-eastern segment of the ceiling was cut into to create a niche for the Torah ark. A large deer was painted above the niche, while trees inhabited by birds appear to the deer's left and right. A painting of an open Torah ark containing Torah scrolls, with two Torah scrolls attached to the cabinet’s top, appeared on the southern part of the segment. Two birds flying towards the sun appeared on the eastern side of the segment.
On the second tier, two sculpted rampant griffons held the Tablets of the Law in front of four corinthian columns, surmounted by hands raised in priestly blessing. The entablature of this tier was inscribed:
"אתכם על כנפי נשרים ואבא אתכם אלי"
([I bare] you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself, Ex. 19:4).
On the third tier, the Doric aedicula, spanned with a Baroque pediment, included the Russian two-headed imperial eagle with its insignia: sceptre, orb, and crowns. Another, larger crown was attached to the pediment above the eagle. A second double-headed eagle inscribed with the Tetragrammaton was painted above the sculpted eagle. Two lions standing on their hind legs held a crown above the painted eagle.
S | Synagogue | Synagogue interior | Torah Ark
T | Torah scroll
T | Tree
B | Bird
A | Astronomy | Sun
C | Curtain
E | Eagle | Eagle, double-headed displayed
H | Heraldic composition | Central element | Tablets of the Law (central element of heraldic composition)
H | Heraldic composition | Supporters | Two griffins
P | Priest (Cohen; See also: High Priest, Elazar the Priest) | Priestly Blessing
E | Eagle | Eagle accompanied by the verse 'and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself' (Ex. 19: 4)
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