Obj. ID: 19557
Sacred and Ritual Torah case, Libya, 1935
The wooden Torah^case consists of a body and a coronet. The body is is covered by silver sheets. Its two sides are decorated symmetrically. Each side is depicted by a pattern of the tablets of the covenant resting on a vase, flanked by an amphora within a cartouche on either side. The tablets are surmounted by two bands, the lower inscribed with the words:
כתר תורה !Crown of Torah.!
The upper band reads:
זה הספר למנוחת יוסף רקח ת'נ'צ'ב'ה' !This Torah for the rest of Joseph Roqah, may his soul be bound up in thebond of life!
The center-back facet depicts an amphora with flowers below a seven-branched menorah, surmounted by the tablets of the covenant. The patterns are surrounded by a foliate pattern within a geometric border, and are surmounted by a Star of David within a circle bearing the word: !ציון! !Zion! The lower border of the body is encircled with a frieze bearing a foliate pattern, with a silver annulet above it, and a wooden one below. The upper border is encircled by a pair of silver annulets surrounding a frieze bearing a dedicatory inscription. The back facet bears an inscription which reads: וזאת התורה אשר שם##משה לפני בני ישראל Deut. 4:44 The case is closed with a hook (missing) set on floral base. Three pairs of metal hinges are in the back of the case. The inner face is plain wood. The hollow bottom has rectangular hand holders. The hollows are covered with silver plates, on which inscriptions are chased in outline letters. The inscription on the upper right side reads: כי מציון תצא תורה The inscription continues on the upper left side reads:
ודבר ה' מירושלים Is., 2:3 ; Mic., 4:2
The inscription on the bottom right side reads:
ברוך אתה בבהך##ברוך אתה בצאתך Deut., 28:6
The inscription on the lower left side reads: כי בי ירבו ימיך##ויספו לך שנות חיים Prov., 9:11
The coronet is composed of eleven facets, and is covered with silver sheets. It is decorated with arches bearing an amphora with flowers on a table, with a foliate pattern background, on each facet. Between each facet is an openwork arch with a foliate motif. The dedicatory inscription is engraved in outline letters and reads:
זה הספר למנוחת יוסף רקח נ!ע בהשתדלות אשתו ברבוסה .. לא ימכר ולא יגאל נגמר בחדש סיון שנת התרצה !
This book for the repose of Joseph Roqah, may he rest in Eden, with the efforts of his wife Barbarosa ./. (the Torah) will not be sold and will not be delivered (the Torah) was completed in the month of Sivan the year 5695=(1935)!
