Obj. ID: 5517
Sacred and Ritual Objects Torah case, Corfu
The faceted Torah case consists of a body surmounted by a high coronet. The case is divided into two vertical halves, closed by a hook in the front and joined by two hinges on the back.
The twelve-faceted body is covered with a blue cloth framed by a white strip. The case is bordered at the top and bottom with protruding wooden friezes. Additional bands painted in gold, mark the front and back openings. A stalk of leaves and scrolls decorates the frontal opening. The top frieze is decorated with various floral motifs, hearts, and triangles.
The golden coronet follows the body's shape and comprises twelve arched rectangles, each decorated with a rich golden decoration of scrolled acanthus leaves.
The inner face is plain wood painted in red, and decorated with gold color. Each half unit has an elevated shelf at its bottom and a semi-cupola at its top (fig. 1). The bottom shelf is blocked with gold-laced scrolls. The openwork cupola is formed of twelve petals, radiating from the top. The spandrels are blocked with lavish, acanthus-like leaves.
Thin golden strips mark each facet and the upper frieze, below the cupola. Interlaced foliate motifs adorn the frieze and are set along the openings.
Two staves for the Torah scroll are inserted through holes in the base and the roof.
The coronet is plain wood. A hook, probably for flowers (for Simhat Torah) is attached to each of its facets
