Obj. ID: 18720
Sacred and Ritual Objects  Torah finials

The pear-shaped Torah finial is composed of a shaft, a body and an apex. The smooth cylindrical shaft is supported by a round stepped base, decorated with grooves surrounding its edges. The pear-shaped body is divided by a circumferential band into a bowl-shaped bottom surmounted by a dome. The dome is formed by layers topped by a cupola. The body is decorated with scales shaped as arches and rounded leaves, arranged alternately, creating a pine cone-like surface. The pattern decorating the bottom is inverted, while the upper decoration is set in layers, arranged in a bricklaying structure. Each arch encloses an open flower, whereas the arches of the bottom are also bordered by a floral motif. The cupola is decorated with columns carrying a canopy, set against a net background. The dividing band is bordered by two dotted strips and an additional grooved strip atop. It bears a Hebrew dedicatory inscription in square linear letters, which reads: "ס' (סניור) רפאל קמחי הי"ו (השם ישמרהו ויחיהו) קושטא (איסטנבול) יע"א (יכוננה עליון אמן)." "Senior Raphael Kimhi, may the Lord protect and sustain him, Kushta (Istanbul), may the Sublime establish it, Amen" An acorn-shaped apex is mounted over a whorl of leaves circlet and surmounts the cupola.