Obj. ID: 173
  Sacred and Ritual  Torah case, Libya or Tunisia, 1831

The Torah case comprising twelve facets, consists of a body and a coronet. The case opens into halves. Each facet is decorated with an open curtain hanging on a rod that surmounts flowers arranged vertically. The flowers are surmounted alternately by a bird or a butterfly. A hook fastener with a floral base is attached to the front facet of the body of the case. A pair of wooden annulets encircles the top and the bottom of the case. A dedicatory inscription is painted between the top annulets. The inscription which is in square filled letters reads:

"זה הספר הקדוש (הקדיש) של ... א ....... מרי נ"ע [=נוחו עדן]..... תקצ"א לפרט ע"י השם הטוב הר...... טאל.....

Translation: This Torah (was dedicated?) by ....... may he rest in Eden the year (5)591 (1831) by the good name.....

The interior surface is painted orange on green. At the bottom, there is a rectangular opening for holding the Torah case. Two holes for inserting staves are situated at the top of the case. The body is surmounted by a wooden coronet composed of twelve facets which correspond to the facets of the body. Each part is decorated with a symmetrical open-work, palmette pattern, surmounted by a trifoil.