Obj. ID: 36718 Tik (Torah case), Shanghai, 1886
14 image(s)
sub-set tree:
2) The middle mark, YI 仪 [cantonese JI] was an artisan silversmith working in Canton circa 1830-1860.
3) The lower mark, WEN YIN 纹銀; a term literally meaning “coin silver”, alluding to a silver purity similar to “Sterling silver” [.925% purity]. The mark on this item appears as 纹艮 [wen gen] instead of 纹銀; the former term means simply “a mark.” Adrien von Ferschtand believes this is an error as the latter was one of several marks used at the time to allude to a high silver purity level.
China has never had an official assay system for either gold or silver.
The following description was prepared by William Gross:
This style of Torah Tik is typical of the Baghdadi Jews in Iraq. When members of this community settled in other parts of Asia, they took their customs and styles with them, even if the craftsmanship was local. So, too, it was with the Baghdadi community in India generally and in Calcutta specifically. This Baghdad form Tik was made for a synagogue in Calcutta and was crafted in Shanghai, China, undoubtedly through the commercial connections of the Baghdadi commercial families of Calcutta with those in Shanghai. The workmanship is exceptional and the beauty of the contrasting gold, silver, and darker sections creates a striking object of beauty. Known only on a handful of Jewish objects are the Chinese export silver marks that appear on this Torah tik and the accompanying Torah pointer.
Inscription:
This Tik and the Sefer Torah that is inside and the Yad [Moreh Makom] and the Rimmonim and the Mapah were dedicated by Nissim Chai Nissim Yosef Ezra, may the Lord sustain him and grant him favor, for the soul of his wife, who has found mercy, Mazal Tov, may she rest in Eden, may her soul be bound up in the bond of life, the daughter of the man of substance Eilia David Yosef Ezra, may the Lord sustain him and grant him favor, in the year 5646 [1886] of creation.
This case has been made along with finials also made in China.