Torah Scroll, case and case ornaments

NameTorah Scroll, case and case ornaments

CultureJewish

DateTorah scroll: Circa 1875; Tik (Case): 1933 (Hebrew Year 5693)

Place madeBaghdad, Iraq, Middle East, Asia

Place madeIraq, Middle East, Asia

MediumGevil parchment, ink; wood, silver, metal alloy, velvet, glass, paint

Dimensionsb: 35 7/8 × 11 × 11 in. (91.1 × 28 × 28 cm)
c: 9 1/4 × 1 15/16 × 1 15/16 in. (23.5 × 5 × 5 cm)
d: 9 7/16 × 1 15/16 × 1 15/16 in. (24 × 5 × 5 cm)

Credit LineMuseum of International Folk Art, IFAF Collection, FA.2014.36.1a-d

Terms

value (economic concept)

Object numberFA.2014.36.1a-d

ProvenancePurchased by curator from vendor in Israel, 5/5/2014.

Descriptiona). A brown parchment scroll with letters in black ink inscribed on it (Iraq)
b). Case: A dark red velvet on the surface of the Tik. Metal works in silver color and dedicatory inscriptions on the top and bottom bands are present on the surface. The top band translates to: This Tik and Torah scroll within were made [or commissioned] by the precious [“yakar”] Ephraim ben Simbat [?], may the Lord sustain him and grant him favor, for the eternal rest of his wife Sarah bat Ya’akov, the year 5693. The bottom band translates to: This is to affirm that the owners of this Torah scroll or anyone they appoint are permitted to remove and place it in any place they should desire [literally: “the permission is in their hands”]. Red glass beads are situated above the top band inscription.
On the inside of the Tik are inscriptions in green both on the right and the left. The inscription on the right translates to: … And this is the law which Moses set before the Children of Israel. This Tik and Torah Scroll within are loaned by the esteemed [“ha rav”] Ephraim ben Simbat [?]. On the left: May the Lord sustain him and grant him favor for the eternal rest of his wife Sarah bat Ya’akov, may she rest in Eden, the year 5693. NOTE: 5693 is the Hebrew year that is equivalent to 1933.
At the top of the Tik is metalwork with ornaments hanging down from the top edge. (b-d made Baghdad)
c-d). Pair of silver torah decorations that are topped with dome-shaped forms with chain-drop embellishments that add a jingling sound when the torah is moved around. Hebrew writing is inscribed on the bottom part of the artwork which reads, L'Kodesh Hashem ("Sanctified by God"). Ornament (c) is missing all but one hanging "drop" embellishment. Ornament (d) has five of its hanging "drop" embellishments.