Pair of Torah finials. [Germany, possibly Augsburg, the first quarter of the 19th century].
Silver, cast, stamped, pierced and engraved (both finials marked with maker’s mark – the letter R in a square frame – and fineness mark “13”); gilt.
Finials of a model characteristic of Augsburg. No fewer than eight other pairs of this model are known, all were likely produced in Augsburg in the first quarter of the 19th century.
Later dedicatory inscription engraved on the lower section of each finial:
“Gestiftet von Adolf & Siegmund Bamberger anlässlich der Barmizvoh feier des ihrer Söhne Siegfried & Ernst 15 Juli 1911" [Donated by Adolf and Siegmund Bamberger on the occasion of the Bar Mitzvah celebration of their sons Siegfried and Ernst, July 15, 1911].
Height: 41.5 cm. Max. width: 10 cm. Good condition.
For further information and comparison, see: Chaya Benjamin, The Stieglitz Collection: Masterpieces in Jewish Art (Israel Museum, 1987), item 14; Rafi Grafman, Crowning Glory: Silver Torah Ornaments of the Jewish Museum, New York (New York, 1996), nos. 269-272.
