![Torah shield. [Galicia (Ukraine or Poland), late 18th or early 19th century].
Silver, repoussé and engraved (unma](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale105/260_1.jpg "Torah Shield with Rotating Plaque – Eastern Europe (Galicia), ca. 1800")
![Torah shield. [Galicia (Ukraine or Poland), late 18th or early 19th century].
Silver, repoussé and engraved (unma](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale105/260_2.jpg "Torah Shield with Rotating Plaque – Eastern Europe (Galicia), ca. 1800")
Auction 105 Books | Letters and Manuscripts | Esther Scrolls and Jewish Ceremonial Art
Torah Shield with Rotating Plaque – Eastern Europe (Galicia), ca. 1800
Opening: $800
Sold for: $2,000
Including buyer's premium
Torah shield. [Galicia (Ukraine or Poland), late 18th or early 19th century].
Silver, repoussé and engraved (unmarked); gilt; niello.
A large crown-shaped ornament appears at the top of the shield, supported by a pair of vases. At the shield’s center are the Two Tablets of the Law (engraved with the abbreviated Ten Commandments in two types of lettering). Above this is a gilt cartouche with a (Hebrew) dedicatory inscription: "This was donated / this object / holiness ‘Asi’ [!] / Men of Psalms".
Underneath the Two Tablets is a small, arched "window, " flanked by a pair of langued, rampant lions. Visible through the "window" is a rotating plaque, enabling the presentation of the (Hebrew) inscriptions "For the Holy Sabbath" and "For Holidays". These inscriptions are written in black niello letters. The borders and much of the rest of the surface area are adorned with vegetal and geometric patterns, and with two symmetrical pairs of birds of prey. An additional ornament – a bird enclosed within a leafy wreath – is attached with screws above the cartouche. Remnants of suspension chain.
Height: 24 cm. Width: 17 cm. Fair-poor condition. Ring missing from chain. Fractures, incl. open fractures. Missing ornaments (two large lions apparently missing on either side of upper crown). Soldering repairs, especially along upper edge. Four small holes along bottom edge, probably evidence of missing bells.
Torah Ornaments – Torah Crowns, Torah Finials, Torah Shields
Torah Ornaments – Torah Crowns, Torah Finials, Torah Shields