Torah shield. [Germany, possibly Schwäbisch Gmünd, 18th century].
Silver, repoussé and engraved (marked on reverse with three hallmarks – two depicting a unicorn or rampant lion enclosed in an oval frame, possibly from Schwäbisch Gmünd, and maker’s mark IG enclosed in a rectangular frame with cut corners, possibly Joseph Göndle [Gündle]); parcel-gilt; set with colored glass stones.
High-quality Torah shield, adorned with rocailles and vegetal motifs typical of the 18th century. Large shell-shaped ornament at top, below it a crown-shaped ornament protruding forward, supported by two crowned lions. Center fitted with a rectangular frame for interchangeable plaques (plaques and rear cover missing), flanked by figures of Moses (holding the Tablets of the Law engraved with the Ten Commandments) and Aaron (wearing the priestly breastplate and holding a censer). Decorated with 27 colored glass stones of various sizes, including a tiny stone set in the eye of the left lion. Originally, the Torah shield was ornamented with approx. 11 additional stones.
Though the hallmarks are blurred and difficult to decipher, they may depict a unicorn (rampant, facing left, in an oval frame), a symbol used on silverwork from Schwäbisch Gmünd near Stuttgart in the 18th century. The abundance of colored glass stones set in this shield also recalls silverwork produced in the city at the time. If indeed from Schwäbisch Gmünd, the maker’s mark IG is likely by the silversmith Joseph Gündle, active in the 18th century.
Height: 33 cm. Width: 27.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Breaks and bends to edges. Missing glass stones. Lacking chain, rear cover and interchangeable plaques.
For additional information and comparison, see: Rosenberg, Der Goldschmiede Merkzeichen (1922-1928), vol. 2, nos. 2178-2179 and 2205; Heike Krause-Schmidt, "...ihr Brodt mit kleiner Silber-Arbeit erwerben": die Geschichte des Gmünder Goldschmiedegewerbes (1999), p. 104 (note 530); Eine gute Woche!: jüdische Türme aus Schwäbisch Gmünd (2001).
