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Obj. ID: 622
Sacred and Ritual Objects
  Torah case, Iraq, 1932

© Center for Jewish Art, Photographer: Feinblatt, Claudio, 1990

The cylindrical Torah^case consists of a body and a crown.

 The body is covered with gilded silver sheeting decorated with rhomboid foliate cartouches, each of which contains a palm tree. Two cartouches at the bottom of the opening contain the Temple represented by the Dome of the Rock, with the inscription: שרה "Sarah".

The upper and lower edges are encircled by friezes bearing dedicatory inscriptions. The inscriptions begin on the upper edge and continue on the lower, in square filled letters which read clockwise from the front of the case:

תיק זה וס"ת)וספר תורה( שבו## עשתה## אותו האשה## שרה בת יחזקאל יוסף כצורי## מבת')מנשים באהל תברך( אשת ברוך יחזקאל,

"This case and the Torah scroll inside it were made by Sarah, daughter of Ezekiel Joseph Catsuri blessed shall she be above women in the tent (Judg. 5:24)(KJ), the wife of Barukh Ezekiel."

On the lower border the inscription continues:

על מנת בכל מקום שנירצו בעלי ס"ת)ספר תורה( להוצי)א( ולהניחוהו למקומות אחרים הרשות בידם ובך )ובאי כוחם(,

"The owners of this Torah and their attorneys are granted permission to remove it and place it wheresoever they shall desire."

The upper border of the body is surmounted by a lily-like crenelation which alternates with red beads. The case is fastened by two silver hook clasps. The onion-shaped crown consists of a main section, a crest and an apex. The main section is covered with vertical bands decorated with a pattern similar to that on the body, which alternate with gilded bands. The crest which surmounts the main section is decorated with vertical bands of a foliate pattern alternating with plain bands. A wide ring decorated with two horizontal bands decorated with a linear pattern, encircles the middle of the crest. Ten rings attached around the top of the crest, hold chains carrying slit, drop-shaped bells. The crest is surmounted by a bud-shaped apex. Two iron finial-mounts are affixed to the crown. The inner face is covered with bordeaux damask. Two gilded silver plaques bearing a dedicatory inscription are attached to the interior surface of the crown. The inscription on these two plaques is written in filled letters, on six lines. Beginning from the right plaque and continuing on the left, it reads:

תיק זה וספר תורה שבו עשתה אותו האשה שרה בת יחזקאל יוסף כצורי

"This case and the Torah scroll inside it were made by the woman Sarah the daughter of Ezekiel Joseph Catsuri".

אשת##המרו' ברוך##יחזקאל מבת')מנשים באהל תברך( ה'##יאריך ימיה##בטוב אכיר')אמן כן יהי רצון(##שנת התרצ"ב,

"The wife of the blessed Barukh Ezekiel blessed shall she be above women in the tent (Judg. 5:24). The Lord will prolong her days with good. Amen, may it be His will. The year 5692 (1932)."

The inscription is framed by a pointed arch, flanked by floral decoration. Below the inscription are two gilded silver strips with an inscription in filled letters which reads:

וזאת התורה אשר שם משה##לפני בני ישראל תורה צוה לנו )דב' ד:44,ל"ג:4(,

"And this is the law which Moses set before the children of Israel, (Moses) commanded us a law" (Based on Deut. 4:44;33:4).

Summary and Remarks
Remarks

41 image(s)

sub-set tree:

Name/Title
Torah case | Unknown
Object Detail
Monument Setting
Unknown
Date
1932
Synagogue 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
Unknown
Period Detail
Collection
Documentation / Research project
Unknown
Iconographical Subject
Textual Content
Unknown |
Languages of inscription
Unknown
Shape / Form
Unknown
Material / Technique
Wood

Material Stucture
Wood; gilded silver; mirror
Material Decoration
repousse; chased; engraved; cast; stamped
Material Bonding
nailed; hinged
Material Inscription
repousse
Material Additions
Material Cloth
Material Lining
Tesserae Arrangement
Density
Colors
Construction material
Measurements
Height
960 mm (Body) 555 mm (Crown)
Length
Width
Depth
Circumference
Thickness
Diameter
276 mm (Body) 268 mm (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
A.A. (D.U.) | 8.1990
Author of description
S.H., Michael Tal | 11.95, 1.96
Architectural Drawings
|
Computer Reconstruction
|
Section Head
Ariella Amar | 11.95
Language Editor
Inez Singer | 12.95, 4.97
Donor
|
Negative/Photo. No.
The following information on this monument will be completed:
Unknown |