Torah shield. Russian Empire [presumably Moscow], 1902.

Silver, repoussé, stamped and engraved (marked with fineness mark, maker’s mark in Cyrillic – Г.Ш., and date mark "1902").

The upper section of the shield features a double-headed eagle (imperial Russian emblem), surmounted by a crown inscribed Keter Kehunah (Crown of Priesthood), and below it a pair of priestly hands in the gesture of Birkat Kohanim, above an Ark with hinged double doors enclosing the Tablets of the Law (engraved with the Ten Commandments), flanked by two lions rampant. The border is adorned with architectural columns entwined with serpents, each topped with a large bird. Additional decorative elements include vegetal motifs with oak branches and acorns. Below the Ark is a rectangular compartment for interchangeable plaques (four double-sided plaques included).

The front of the shield is richly polychromed in red, blue, green, gold, and silver.

Height: 30.5 cm. Width: 25.5 cm. Good condition. Without suspension chain.