Pair of Torah Finials. Austria-Hungary, dedicatory inscription, probably from Bulgaria, dated 5651 [1891].
Silver, repoussé, stamped, and engraved (marked with Austro-Hungarian quality marks, in use from 1872; and with faded maker’s mark).
Pair of Torah finials with large, round bodies, adorned with vegetal and geometric patterns. At the top of each finial are pierced triangles which, when combined, produce the shape of a Star of David. Surmounting each finial, at the center of the Star of David, is a tall, crown-shaped ornament.
Supported on stout cylindrical shafts, tapering upward. Identical dedicatory inscriptions (Hebrew) engraved on both shafts: "Dedicated to the Almighty, from Peretz / Yosef Alkalai, may the Lord preserve and keep him, 5651 [1891]".
A printer by the name of Peretz Yosef Alkalai was active in Rustchuk (Ruse), Bulgaria, near the border with Romania. A decorated "ketubah" (Jewish marriage contract) he printed can be found in the Collection of the Israel Museum, Jerusalem (Item No. B87.0564), and various other items printed by him in Ladino can be found in the National Library of Israel (NLI), Jerusalem.
Height: 24.5 cm. Maximal width: 11 cm. Fair-good condition. Warping. Minor fractures and several missing pieces. Soldering repairs to one finial.
