Obj. ID: 575
Sacred and Ritual Objects  Torah case (Iraq, 1874)

The cylindrical wooden Torah case consists of a body and a crown covered in silver. The case opens into two halves and is closed by a pair of ringed clasps. The back is divided by two hinges. The body has a net like design, consisting of a double dotted line which forms a double ogee shape with a rosette on each of the four sides. Within each frame is a single leafed flower stemming from a bowl shaped vase which has a dot and three petals on either side. At the base, under a double dotted line there is an alternating pattern of lilies and rosettes. A band at the top is framed by a double dotted line. A three leaf motif is interspersed between the dedicatory inscription, written in square filled letters which read: "ק' )תיק( זה וספר תורה שבו למנו)למנוחת( המרוחם ראובן עבדא ראובן תנצבה )תהי נשמתו צרורה בצרור החיים( שנת תרלד." "This Torah case and the Torah scroll inside are in peaceful memory of he who has found mercy, Reven Ovada Reuven, may his soul be bound up in the bond of life, the year [5]634 (1874)." The coronet surrmonts the body and consists of an openwork repeating bud shaped pattern. The onion shaped crown is decorated with six vertical segments, which bear an identical floral pattern, growing narrower as they reach the apex. They are seperated by thin stripes. An undulating apex with a ring on its head surmounts the crown. It bears a petal motif with an alternating scroll foliate pattern. At the top of each petal there is a ring. The inner face is plain wood. A rectangular partition is set at the bottom of each half. The inner crown has a paper covered wooden plaque. A square topped by a multifoil arch bears a dedicatory inscription, the square filled letters read: "תיק##זה וסת )םפר תורה(## שבו למנוחת##המ"ר )החכם מורנו רבי(ראובן##עבדא ראובן##שנת תרלד"## "This Torah case and the Torah scroll inside are in peaceful memory of our sage Rabbi and teacher, Reuven Ovada Reuven, the year [5]634 (1874)." There is a foliate motif to the right and left of the arch and it is framed by a foliate scroll motif. Below the plaque is a single line bearing an inscription the square filled letters read: "ראוב]ן[ ]ת[נצבה )תהי נשמתו צרורה בצרור החיים( בסט )בסימנא טבא("## "Reuven, may his soul be bound up in the bond of life, in favourable sign."