Pair of Torah finials. North Africa, probably Morrocco. Dedicatory inscription dated 1913.

Silver, cast and engraved; sheet silver, repoussé and stamped (unmarked); gilt.

Large, heavy Torah finials, reminiscent in form and size of Italian Torah finials. Shaped as three-tiered octagonal towers, tapering toward the top. Each tier is separated by a crown of leaves with bells; the top tier is surmounted by a large pinecone-shaped ornament.

All sides are decorated with cast flower filled urns, and six-pointed gilt stars. Each tier is surrounded by eight pilasters. Set on tall cylindrical shafts, adorned with vegetal motifs and bearing dedicatory inscriptions, in memory of Yitzchak Pinto, dates 19th of Nisan 5673 [1913].

For a similar pair of Torah finials from Tangier, see: the Center for Jewish Art (CJA), item 2994.

Height: 52 cm. Max. width: 12 cm. Fair-good condition. Minor cracks, loose joints, and bends. Old soldering repairs to one finial. Bells missing. The shafts may be of earlier origin and reused in crafting the finials.