Obj. ID: 19623
Sacred and Ritual Objects Torah finials, Tunisia, Tunis, 1860s
The tower-shaped Torah finial consists of a shaft, a body and an apex.
The cylindrical shaft tapers towards the body and is mounted over a round raised base. The base is decorated with a whorle of leaves radiating from the centre. The body comprises a bowl-shaped base decorated with a frieze of foliate pattern flanked by two medallions and whorls of leaves around the base. The base carries two hexagonal storeys in diminishing sizes.
The open-work facets enclose arched openings blocked by two repeating sets of identical implements: a seven-branched menorah (Ex. 25:31) on top and a vase on the lower tier. A parapet made of a palmette flanked by scrolls is set on top of each tier. Pillars topped by a crescent and carry chains with bells are attached to each corner on both storeys.
A cilyndrical unit with curved edges surmounts the body and is topped by a small dome, which terminates with a bud-shaped apex.
A dedication is punched in square letters between a double-lined frame encircling the cilynder:
"לונה לבית אליהו כשכש".
"(Dedicated by or for) Luna of the house of Eliyahu Khashkhash."
For similar finials see object 9700.
For similar finials, see: Sc.96-21, pp. XX. IJA 0003990 REM L IJA Sc., Olei Luv Syn., T-a, card no.22 ##cf. IJA Sc.1718 It. Mus. On 23, 247/4 (tower shape) ##cf. IJA Sc.2169 It. Mus. ON 207, 247/12 (apex)##cf. IJA Sc.2965 It. Mus. ON 151, 247/17
4 image(s)
sub-set tree:
1. Authority: quality
The tower-shaped Torah finial is decorated on each of its facets with sanctuary implements.