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Obj. ID: 36853
Sacred and Ritual Objects
  Parochet Bells, Prague, 1819

© Gross Family Collection, Photographer: Bar Hama, Ardon, -

The following description was prepared by William Gross:

The parochet (Hebrew: פרוכת) is the curtain that covers the Aron Kodesh (Torah Ark) containing the Torah scrolls in a synagogue. The parochet symbolizes the curtain that covered the Ark of the Covenant, based on Exodus 40:21. "He brought the ark into the Tabernacle and placed the screening dividing curtain so that it formed a protective covering before the Ark..."

A unique custom among the Jews of Bohemia and Moravia was the hanging of a set of bells on some Parochets. The purpose is not clear, although conjecture has it that the moving of the curtain just before the removal of the Torah Scrolls for reading would make the bells ring, signally the congregation to rise. Many such sets exist in the Jewish Museum in Prague, having been removed from their original place on the Parochets, of which 2,400 exist in storage rooms. Some are pictured with the bells in place in the book about textiles by Hanah Volavkova.

Inscription: H(a)K(adosh) B(aruch) H(u) [The Holy One, blessed be Him]

Summary and Remarks
Remarks

3 image(s)

sub-set tree:

Name/Title
Parochet Bells | Unknown
Object Detail
Monument Setting
Unknown
Date
1819
Synagogue active dates
Reconstruction dates
Historical Origin
Unknown
Community type
Congregation
Location
Unknown |
Site
Unknown
School/Style
Unknown|
Period
Unknown
Period Detail
Collection
Documentation / Research project
Unknown
Iconographical Subject
Unknown |
Textual Content
Unknown |
Languages of inscription
Unknown
Shape / Form
Unknown
Material / Technique
Silver, Cut, Engraved
Material Stucture
Material Decoration
Material Bonding
Material Inscription
Material Additions
Material Cloth
Material Lining
Tesserae Arrangement
Density
Colors
Construction material
Measurements
Height: 16 cm, Width: 7 cm, Depth: 4.5 cm (Each Bell) Weight: 100 g, 105 g, 107 g, 111 g
Height
Length
Width
Depth
Circumference
Thickness
Diameter
Weight
Axis
Panel Measurements
Condition
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
City Mark: Prague, Quality: 13, Tax Mark (1810 - 1824). Date: 1819, Makers Mark: AK
Group
Group
Group
Group
Group
Trade Mark
Binding
Decoration Program
Suggested Reconsdivuction
History/Provenance
Main Surveys & Excavations
Sources
Type
Documenter
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Author of description
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Architectural Drawings
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Computer Reconstruction
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Section Head
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Language Editor
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Donor
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Negative/Photo. No.
The following information on this monument will be completed:
Unknown |