Obj. ID: 41472
Sacred and Ritual Objects  Atzei Hayim (Torah scroll staves), Izmir, 1823/24

The following description was prepared by William Gross:

Ivory was a rare material for Jewish ritual objects overall but was sometimes used for ritual objects in Turkey. This happened most often in its use as the roller for an Esther scroll. This pair of atzei chaim, with the traditional three crowns seen in Jewish objects in the Ottoman empire, was used for a Sefer Torah in Izmir, in the synagogue. Kk "chevrah." The synagogue building exists to this day in Izmir and is still used on some occasions.

Inscription: 

Donated by the member, the officer, the rav Ya'akov Palombo, may the Lord protect and sustain him, and the member, the exalted, the rav Yitzhak Hacohen, may the Lord protect and sustain him, and the member, the exalted, the rav Shabbtai Diner(?), may the Lord sustain and protect him, the year 5584  [=1823/24] ???(h'm's') in the Holy congregation chevrah, may God build our city     (virtually the same inscription is on both upper parts)