Pair of Torah finials. Lisbon, Portugal, 1938 or later.
Silver, cast, repoussé, embossed and engraved (Lisbon standard mark, in use from January 1, 1938, and a leaf-shaped stamp, perhaps maker's marks; one bell with London hallmarks).
Large, impressive finials. Each finial is comprised of three tiers, narrowing progressively towards the upper edge, upon which lies a crown-like ornament topped by a small bud. Each tier is comprised of eight angled leaves, between which are soldered hangers for bells. They stand on high cylindrical legs, progressively widening towards the bottom, where (identical) inscriptions are engraved: "Shaar HaShamayim synagogue …(?) / Yaakov son of Moshe Shokron".
As there is no synagogue named Shaar HaShamayim in Lisbon, the present finials may originate in the Shaar HaShamayim synagogue in Ponta Delgada on São Miguel in the Azores.
Height: 47.5 cm. Maximal width: 17 cm. Weight: 2,550 g. Overall good condition. Warping, mainly to bell hangers. Old soldering repairs. Parts not screwed in. Some bells non-original. Some bells lacking.
