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Obj. ID: 18165
Jewish Architecture
  Great Synagogue in Slonim - Eastern wall and Torah ark

© Center for Jewish Art, Photographer: Eremenko, Alexey, 2003

The eastern wall consists of two tiers, divided by a horizontal cornice-like molding with a “frieze” painted with floral motifs.

According to a pre-WWII photograph, the lower tier of the wall was painted with colonnades and open Torah arks with Torah scrolls (see photo in Yad Vashem Photos Archive).

The Torah ark is situated in the center of the eastern wall. The niche for the Torah cabinet is flanked by two Renaissance pilasters narrowing towards the bottom. Each pilaster is decorated by a painted flower. The entablature of the pilasters is painted with rosettes and acanthus leaves.

The upper part of the ark, above the cornice, is a kind of stylized Baroque gable, topped by a vase. In its center, two lions support the Tablets of the Law, which is placed inside a wreath and surmounted by a crown.

An oculus is situated above the ark in the central lunette. A bird sitting on a branch is painted on its upper side. The hands in the gesture of a priestly blessing are painted on the lunette above the oculus. Above the hands is an inscription: "יברכך" (He will bless you). The inscription is surmounted by a crown with Magen David. The southern side of the lunette features a depiction of an etrog in a container and the northern side has a depiction of lulav, hadas, and aravah.

The upper part of the ark is flanked by two pilasters. Each pilaster is surmounted by a painting of a vase of flowers. The northern pilaster has a depiction of a destroyed building near two cypress trees. This most likely represents the destroyed Jerusalem Temple. The southern pilaster has a painting of two stone walls with round-headed arches and two high trees are seen behind the wall. This painting likely represents the Western Wall of the Jerusalem Temple.

Each pilaster is decorated with a painting of a colonnade with Corinthian columns. The entablature of the colonnades continues on the pilasters. On their outer edges, the colonnades are topped with painted figures of lions in a prone position. Between the columns, the musical instruments used in the Temple are depicted.

Summary and Remarks
Remarks

122 image(s)

sub-set tree:

Name/Title
Great Synagogue in Slonim - Eastern wall and Torah ark | Unknown
Object Detail
Monument Setting
Unknown
Date
1635 - 1642, 192?
Synagogue active dates
Reconstruction dates
Artist/ Maker
Unknown
Origin
Historical Origin
Unknown
Community type
Congregation
Unknown
Location
Belarus | Hrodzienskaia vobl. | Slonim
| 1 Sovetskaia St.
Site
Unknown
School/Style
Unknown|
Period
Unknown
Period Detail
Collection
Unknown |
Documentation / Research project
Unknown
Textual Content
Unknown |
Languages of inscription
Unknown
Shape / Form
Unknown
Material / Technique
Material Stucture
Material Decoration
Material Bonding
Material Inscription
Material Additions
Material Cloth
Material Lining
Tesserae Arrangement
Density
Colors
Construction material
Measurements
Height
Length
Width
Depth
Circumference
Thickness
Diameter
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
|
Author of description
Vladimir Levin, Ekaterina Sosensky | 2016
Architectural Drawings
|
Computer Reconstruction
|
Section Head
|
Language Editor
Carmen Echevarria | 2016
Donor
|
Negative/Photo. No.
The following information on this monument will be completed:
Unknown |