Obj. ID: 3676
Sacred and Ritual Objects RImonim (Tunisia, 1856-1905)
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
sub-set tree:
Authority
Authority
The tower-shaped Torah finial is decorated in each of its facets with Sanctuary implements.