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Obj. ID: 565
Sacred and Ritual Objects
  Torah case, Iraq, 1847

© Center for Jewish Art, Photographer: Feinblatt, Claudio,

The wooden Torah case consists of a body and a crown.

The cylindrical body is covered with silver sheets decorated with foliate cartouches network each bearing a vase with flowers. The upper and lower borders are encircled by friezes bearing a dedicatory inscription. The body's upper border is surmounted by a lily-like crenellation.

The case is opened by two silver hook clasps. There are two pairs of hinges at the back. The inner face is covered with floral pattern brocade. The onion-shaped crown consists of a main section, a crest, and an apex.

The main section is covered with silver sheets, decorated with foliate patterns.

The undulating crest is mounted over the crown. The crest is decorated with strips of a foliate pattern alternating with plain strips. A wide ring bearing an oval pattern encircles its centre. The crest is surmounted by a bud-shaped apex. Ten rings are fixed around the centre of the crest, carrying chains with slit, drop-shaped bells.

Two iron rimon mounts are fixed on the crown.

Two painted mirrors bearing dedicatory inscriptions are attached to the crown's inner face. The mirrors are decorated with floral motifs, and the inscription appears in arches. below them are two strips of the inscription written on paper in filled letters and reads:

"...המרוחם דוד...דוד /...יום י"ז ל..."

Translation: ...Who has found mercy David...David / ...17th of ...."

The dedicatory inscription on the body starts at the upper border. It is chaised in filled letters and reads from the front of the case:

"תיק זה וספר תורה שבו עשו אותו בניו למנו'(=למנוחת) אביהם / המ'(המנוח) דוד ראובן דוד מנחם נ"ע(=נוחו עדן) תנצבה(=תהיה נשמתו צרורה בצרור החיים) שנת תר"ז"

Translation: This case and the Torah Scroll inside it is made by his son for the repose of (Int.) his father The Late (Int.) David Reuben David Menahem May he rest in Eden (Int.) May his soul be bound up in the bond of life (Int.) The year (5)607 (=1847)

The inscription continues on the lower border, reading from the front:

"על מנת בכל מקום שנירצו בעלי ס"ת(=ספר תורה) הנ"ל(=הנזכר למעלה) להוצי(א) / ולהניחוהו למקומת אחרים הרשב"י(=הרשות בידם) וביבכ"ח(=ובידי באי כוחם)"

Translation: For anywhere that the owners of this Torh would like to take / and put it in other places they and their attorneys have the permission (Int.)

The dedicatory inscription upon the inner face of the crown is written in filled letters, on six lines, and reads from the right:

"וזאת / התורה אשר / שם משה לפנב'(=לפני בני)/ ישראל אלה החקי'(ם) / והמשפטים והתו'(רה) / אשר נתן ה' (דברים ד,מד-מה)" [Deut. 4:44-45[

Continues on the left side of the crown:

"תיק / זה וס"ת(וספר תורה) שבו / עשו אותו בניו/ למנו'(=למנוחת) אביהם המ'(=המנוח) / דוד ראובן דוד / מנחם תנצבה(=תהיה נשמתו צרורה בצרור החיים)"

Translation: This case / and the Torah scroll (Int.) inside it / is made by His son / for the repose (Int.) of his father The Late (Int.) / David Reuben David  / Menahem May his soul be bound up in the bond of life (Int.)

Summary and Remarks
Remarks

9 image(s)

sub-set tree:

Name/Title
Torah case | Unknown
Object Detail
Monument Setting
Unknown
Date
1847
Active dates
Reconstruction dates
Artist/ Maker
Unknown
Origin
Iraq
|
Historical Origin
Unknown
Community type
Unknown |
Congregation
Unknown
Location
Unknown |
Site
Unknown
School/Style
Unknown|
Period Detail
Collection
Documentation / Research project
Unknown
Languages of inscription
Unknown
Shape / Form
Unknown
Material / Technique
Wood, silver and partially gilded plaques, brocade, mirror, beads
Material Stucture
cut
Material Decoration
: chased, stamped, cast
Material Bonding
nailed, hinged
Material Inscription
chased, paint on mirror
Material Additions
Material Cloth
Material Lining
Tesserae Arrangement
Density
Colors
Construction material
Measurements
Height
Height: 923 mm (body), 384 mm (crown
Length
Width
Depth
Circumference
Thickness
Diameter
Diameter: 248 mm (body), 267mm (crown)
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
Group
Group
Group
Group
Group
Trade Mark
Binding
Decoration Program
Suggested Reconsdivuction
History/Provenance
Main Surveys & Excavations
Sources
Type
Documenter
Peninah Fichman | 05.90
Author of description
Peninah Fichman, Ariella Amar | 08.90; 05.07
Architectural Drawings
|
Computer Reconstruction
|
Section Head
Zohar Hanegbi, Ariella Amar | 09.90; 05.07
Language Editor
Judith Cardozo | 05.07
Donor
UNESCO |
Negative/Photo. No.
The following information on this monument will be completed:
Unknown |