Pair of Torah finials. [Palestine, probably Safed or Jerusalem, early 20th century].
Silver, cast, repoussé and engraved (unmarked).
Pair of Torah finials with a unique design: square, polygonal bodies, surmounted by large, crown-like ornaments, each composed of four long, broad curving leaves. At the bases of each of the bodies is an additional set of four long curving leaves. Connecting the bases to the shafts is a large spherical ornament. Tall, cylindrical shafts, curving upward. Dedicatory inscriptions (Hebrew) engraved on both shafts: "Dedicated by M. Tziporah bat Sarah ... for the sake of the ascent of the soul of Sarah bat Tziporah".
Engraved on the body of each finial are four depictions of holy sites and holy tombs in the Land of Israel, reminiscent of those that appear on standard decorative template prints originating from the Holy Land in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as well as on other local items, like Safed Kiddush cups of the early 20th century. The depictions are all labeled in Hebrew. One finial features "The Western Wall"; "Cave of Elijah of blessed memory"; "[Tomb of] the Prophet Elisha"; and "[Tomb of] our [fore]mother Rachel". The other finial bears depictions of the "Tomb of the Prophet Samuel"; "Tombs of the Kings of the House of David"; "The Holy City of Safed, may it be rebuilt and reestablished"; and "The Cave of the Patriarchs".
Height: 27 cm. Width: 5 cm. Fair condition. Warping, fractures, and soldering repairs. No chains or bells.
