Torah case. Beirut and Damascus, dedication inscriptions dated 1891 and 1910.
Wood; silver sheet, repoussé and engraved; ink and paint on paper; velvet and satin; without Torah scroll.
Cylindrical case in the characteristic shape of Near Eastern Torah cases (Iraq and the environs), surmounted by a conical finial with a pear-shaped dome.
Coated in red velvet affixed with repoussé silver sheet plaques, bearing vegetal designs and a detailed dedicatory inscription.
Upper silver band reads:
"The silver of this case was donated by the esteemed woman, Mrs. Leah, wife of the philanthropist...", and continues on two plaques:
"R. Rachamim Ma'aravi for the beit midrash of the Ahiezer society / may it be a merit for the soul / of her daughter… Simcha / of blessed memory, daughter of / R. Rachamim Ma'aravi / who passed away on the 11th of Tishrei / 1910…".
Another inscription appears inside the case, on a paper plaque protected under glass:
"This case and the Torah scroll within / were purchased by the members of the Damascus congregation / known as the Midrash Shawam / in the city of Beirut, [1891]".
Midrash Shawam was the Damascene synagogue in Beirut, also known as Kanis al-Shawam (documented on the CaErez BaLevanon website).
Height: 99 cm. Diameter: 31 cm. Overall good condition. Some wear to velvet covering. Some wear and minor defects to interior, especially to inner fabric lining; possibly missing a second glass-covered inscription. The copper finial may be a later addition. Clasp missing.
Documented by the Center for Jewish Art (CJA) in a synagogue in Bat Yam, 1988. See CJA, item 12893 (and item 12892).
