Obj. ID: 23936
Sacred and Ritual Objects Torah finials, 1565
© Center for Jewish Art, Photographer: Unknown,
The globular Torah finial consists of a shaft, a body and an apex.
The cylindrical shaft is bordered on the bottom by a ring carrying small diagonal lines and a large and angular ring, on top. The pomegranate- like finial has a plain body adorned by a whorl of lotus leaves, on top and bottom. A circumferential dedicatory inscription is engraved in square linear letters, which reads:
"זה הרמון של בית הכנסת פלו(ר) שנת השכ"ה."
"This is the Torah finial (possession) of the synagogue of Palu (Palur?; see: Remarks: no. 1), the year 5325 (1565)"
The apex is an elongated cylinder emerging from a wide angular base.
Summary and Remarks
Remarks
- The finials are one of the earlier testaments of the Jewish community in the Malabar Coast, in South- West India. The name of the synagogue of Palu engraved on them, possibly relates to the synagogue of Palur – a Jewish settlement, which no longer exits. The exact location of this settlement is uncertain, and some scholars identify it as the town of Palayur, in north Kerala. The presence of Jews in Palayur in earlier times, may be implied by local naming and designation of places as "Jew well" and "Jew hill" - up till today. These identifications are inquiringly strange, since no Jewish life exists in Palayur today. Christian local sources also refer to an early Jewish presence in the city. Some also identify remnants of a building nearby the local church as a destroyed synagogue (see: Bibliography). Besides folk stories and oral traditions among the Jews of Kerala and the local environment, this inscription is therefore the only historical evident which confirms the existing Jewish settlement in Palur.
- These finials are unique in their shape and are one of the earliest dated finials known until now. They resemble the pomegranate fruit and it is possible that the name Rimon (pomegranate) derives from their shape.
1 image(s)
sub-set tree:
Name/Title
| Unknown
Object
Object Detail
Monument Setting
Unknown
Date
1565
Synagogue active dates
Reconstruction dates
Artist/ Maker
Unknown
Origin
Historical Origin
Unknown
Community type
Location
Unknown |
Site
Unknown
School/Style
Unknown|
Period
Unknown
Period Detail
Documentation / Research project
Unknown
Iconographical Subject
Unknown |
Textual Content
Unknown |
Languages of inscription
Unknown
Shape / Form
Unknown
Material / Technique
Gold, silver, wood
Material Stucture
gold folded on wood, hammered
Material Decoration
cut
Material Bonding
folded, soldered
Material Inscription
engraved
Material Additions
Material Cloth
Material Lining
Tesserae Arrangement
Density
Colors
Construction material
Measurements
Height
250 mm (general); 130 mm (shaft)
Length
Width
Depth
Circumference
Thickness
Diameter
50 mm
Weight
Axis
Panel Measurements
Condition
The finials had some reparation but are generally in good 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
Torah finials
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
The Torah finials were part of the ritual objects, used in the synagogue of Parur until they were sold in the second half of the 20th century. They were brought to Israel by Jewish immigrants from Cochin.
Main Surveys & Excavations
Sources
Type
Documenter
Orpa Bronfman (Slepak) | 11.83
Author of description
Sandrine Rebibo, Ariella Amar | 09.04
Architectural Drawings
|
Computer Reconstruction
|
Section Head
Ariella Amar | 11.05
Language Editor
Judith Cardozo | 06.07
Donor
UNESCO |
Object Copyright
Sc_079
Negative/Photo. No.
The following information on this monument will be completed:
Unknown |