Obj. ID: 3643
Sacred and Ritual Objects  Torah finials, Tunisia, 19th century

The prismatic tower-shaped Torah finial consists of a shaft, a body and an apex.

The cylindrical shaft is mounted over a raised flower-shaped base surmounted by a ring. An additional ring tops the shaft.

The tapering tower-shaped body is formed of six facets. It is mounted over a compressed globe and is divided into three tiers by blank bands topped by a dome. The compressed globe is encircled by a winding branch with leaves. It is mounted over a truncated conical base and surmounted by a concave ring with a hexagonal upper edge. 

Each of the facets is decorated in openwork. The lower tier has a horseshoe arch opening, surmounted by a flower. Two branches stem from the flower and flank the arch. An open hand (hamsa) pendant is hung in the center of the arch.

The central tier is decorated with a leafy branch topped by an iris, whereas the third storey has a rectangular window enclosing an open hand (hamsa).

Scrolled loops, carrying chains with crescent-shaped pendants are attached to the angles between the facets of the lower tier.

A round dome set upon a concave cylinder is mounted over the body terminating with a flower-shaped circlet.

A floral apex surmounts the finial.