Auction 105 Books | Letters and Manuscripts | Esther Scrolls and Jewish Ceremonial Art
Pair of Silver Torah Finials – Johann Jakob Runnecke – Fürth, Germany, Late 18th Century
Opening: $500
Sold for: $2,125
Including buyer's premium
Pair of silver Torah finials. Fürth, Germany, late 18th century.
Silver, pierced, stamped, repoussé, and engraved (marked with Fürth municipal mark – a crescent moon with the letter "F"; year mark "Z"; and maker’s mark – the letters "IR" and above them, four dots – of the silversmith Johann Jakob Runnecke / Runecke); gilt.
Torah finials of a German type, adorned with vegetal patterns, with three apertures for bells. At the top, a crown-like ornament capped by a small dome.
The silversmith Johann Jakob Runnecke has been documented in the past by Marc Rosenberg (Der Goldschmiede Merkzeichen, 1922) and other sources and authorities, referred to as "J. Rimonim". This craftsman, whose Berliner father was also a silversmith, was active in Fürth and produced quite a few articles of Judaica in the late 18th century, including Hanukkah lamps, Torah shields and Torah finials, Kiddush cups, and at least one magnificent Sabbath lamp (formerly part of the Sassoon Family Collection).
Height: 23 cm. Maximal width: 8 cm. Fair condition. Warping, fractures, and missing pieces, especially to upper ornaments. Bud-shaped upper tip missing in one finial. Numerous old soldering repairs at points of attachment of shafts. One missing bell; several bells apparently not original.
Torah Ornaments – Torah Crowns, Torah Finials, Torah Shields
Torah Ornaments – Torah Crowns, Torah Finials, Torah Shields