Pair of Torah finials. Turin, Italy, [ca. 1815-1824].
Silver, cast, repoussé and pierced (all parts marked by silversmith Andrea Stuardi, active in Turin ca. 1815-1824, Turin standard marks and assayer's marks of Kingdom of Sardinia, Giuseppe Vernoni, active 1814-1824).
Large, impressive Torah finials, stylized as hexagonal towers with two stories (the lower story wider than the upper one), with balconies and parapets. At the base of each finial is a large, globular element decorated with vegetal patterns, located at the edge of a cylindrical leg with a wide domed base. The pierced windows are set with decorative cast appliqués, in alternating patterns characteristic of Italian ceremonial objects (priestly turban, Tablets of the Law, altar, menorah, etc.) and vegetal patterns. Long chains ending with large bells hang from the parapets of each finial (the chains and bells are all original).
Height: 46 cm. Width: 13 cm. Weight: 2958 g. Good condition. One finial somewhat warped. One appliqué partially detached. One leg with loose thread fitting.
Reference: Bargoni, Mastri orafi e argentieri in Piemonte. Turin: Centro Studi Piemontesi, 1988, no. S90.
