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Obj. ID: 3676
Sacred and Ritual Objects
  RImonim (Tunisia, 1856-1905)

© Center for Jewish Art, Photographer: Radovan, Zev, 1997

The tower-shaped Torah finial consists of a shaft, a body and an apex.
The cylindrical shaft tapers slightly towards the body. It is mounted over a dome-shaped base encircled in its lower edge by a scalloped pattern containing leaves. A dedication is inscribed in Hebrew square linear characters, written along the shaft and read towards its base:

"יהודה ומאיר בוכריץ"

“Judah (Yehuda) and Meir Buchritz"
The tower shaped body is mounted over a base consisting of a bowl-shaped unit, surmounted by a compressed globe. The bowl is decorated with a scalloped pattern containing leaves radiating from the center, while the compressed globe is encircled by rectangular units enclosing a rose in their center. A concave ring seperates the base and the body.
The six-faceted body is composed of two tiers in diminishing size topped by a dome. Each facet encloses a Sanctuary implement, mounted over a fleur-de-lys and attached to an arched opening surrounded by an openwork floral design. 
On the first and second tier reading clockwise are the following Implements of the Sanctuary: the Tables of the Covenant, a laver, a vase, the Ark of the Covenant, the High priest's mitre, and the Priestly blessing, (see:Remarks). 
A  cylindrical unit, surmounted by a dome, tops the body. The circumference of the dome is decorates with roses. 
An acorn-shaped apex surmounts the dome.
The following is a description of the implements: 
Tables of the Covenant (Ex. 31: 18) are two arched Tables inscribed with the beginning words of five of the ten commandments, written in square letters from right to left.
The Laver and Basin (Ex. 30) are represented as a hand pouring water from a laver to a basin. 
The Priestly Benediction is represented as two open hands thumbs touching, with a split between the middle and ring fingers.
The goblet-shaped vase contains leaves and fruits. 
The Ark of the Covenant is a rectangular box inscribed with the Lord's name "shaddai." A pair of wings surmount the ark, representing the cherubim (Ex. 25:18). 
The High Priest's mitre (Mitznefet; Ex. 28:4) is depicted as a short cylinder curving at its upper edges forming a crescent shape.

996867.DOC

Summary and Remarks
Remarks

20 image(s)

sub-set tree:  

Object Detail
Monument Setting
Unknown
Date
1856-1905
Active dates
Reconstruction dates
Artist/ Maker
Unknown
Origin
Historical Origin
Unknown
Location
Unknown |
Site
Unknown
School/Style
Period Detail
Collection
Documentation / Research project
Unknown
Iconographical Subject
Textual Content
Unknown |
Languages of inscription
Unknown
Shape / Form
Unknown
Material / Technique
Metal, silver, gilded silver
Material Stucture
hammered, cast
Material Decoration
cast
Material Bonding
screwed
Material Inscription
engraved
Material Additions
Material Cloth
Material Lining
Tesserae Arrangement
Density
Colors
Construction material
Measurements
Height
435 mm (overall), 130 mm (shaft)
Length
Width
Depth
Circumference
Thickness
Diameter
84 mm, 21mm (shaft)
Weight
Axis
Panel Measurements
Condition
Intact
Extant
Documented by CJA
Surveyed by CJA
Present Usage
Present Usage Details
Condition of Building Fabric
Architectural Significance type
Historical significance: Event/Period
Historical significance: Collective Memory/Folklore
Historical significance: Person
Architectural Significance: Style
Architectural Significance: Artistic Decoration
Urban significance
Significance Rating
0
Ornamentation
Custom
Contents
Codicology
Scribes
Script
Number of Lines
Ruling
Pricking
Quires
Catchwords
Hebrew Numeration
Blank Leaves
Direction/Location
Façade (main)
Endivances
Location of Torah Ark
Location of Apse
Location of Niche
Location of Reader's Desk
Location of Platform
Temp: Architecture Axis
Arrangement of Seats
Location of Women's Section
Direction Prayer
Direction Toward Jerusalem
Coin
Coin Series
Coin Ruler
Coin Year
Denomination
Signature
Colophon
Scribal Notes
Watermark
Hallmark
Two hallmarks appear at the body's upper part:
Authority
Authority
Group
Group
Group
Group
Group
Trade Mark
Binding
Decoration Program

The tower-shaped Torah finial is decorated in each of its facets with Sanctuary implements.

Suggested Reconsdivuction
History/Provenance
Unknown
Main Surveys & Excavations
Sources
Amar, Ariella. "Synagogues and Ritual Artifacts," In Tunisia, Edited by Haim Saadoun, Jewish Communities in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, Jerusalem: Ministry of Education and Ben-Zvi Institute for the Study of Jewish Communities in the East of Yad Yizhak Ben-Zvi and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 2005 (In Hebrew). Grafman, Rafi, ed. 50 Rimonim: A Selection of Torah Finials from a European Family Collection. Tel-Aviv: Tel-Aviv University, The Judaica Museum, The Cymbalista Synagogue and Jewish Heritage Center, 1998. In English and Hebrew. Sotheby's, Important Judaica. Tel-Aviv, 15.4.1998.
Type
Documenter
Ariella Amar | 7.97
Author of description
Efrat Assaf-Shapira | 7.98
Architectural Drawings
|
Computer Reconstruction
|
Section Head
Ariella Amar | 2.01
Language Editor
Judith Cardozo | 3.01
Donor
UNESCO |
Negative/Photo. No.
The following information on this monument will be completed:
Unknown |