Torah mantle. [Italy, probably Padua], 1744-1745.
Embroidery of coiled gold- and silver-colored metal thread on wine-red velvet and a foundation of cardboard cutouts; decorative ribbons embroidered with gold- and silver-colored metal thread; strings of metal thread; wood.
Elaborate mantle including a solid circular top lid with two round apertures for Torah rollers, and a decorated fabric panel to wrap around and cover the Torah scroll. On the top lid, embroidered gold metal thread forms various decorations in symmetrical patterns, and around them the dedicatory inscription: "Consecrated to G-d: Donated by the dear and lofty R. Michael son of R. Moshe Asael Aziz: [1744-1745]".
The Aziz (Da Zara) family originates in Padua, northern Italy. Elaborate ketubot of this family, produced in Padua in the 17th and 18th centuries, are found in the NLI collection (Ms. Heb. 901.264=1) and the Israel Museum collection (B79.1468).
Height: 85 cm. Width: 37 cm. Overall good condition. Fabric edges of some embroidered decorations and inscriptions unraveled. Wear, tears and unraveling to interior of mantle and top lid joint. Later notations in paint to interior of mantle: "7, 1P".
Provenance: Sotheby's, New York, June 5 2019, Lot 39.
