SILVER TORAH SHIELD Russia, 19th century.

Large shield form plaque with rounded corners, depicting two embossed columns toppped by urns of flowers flanking applique lions supporting applique three-dimensional Decalogue engraved with initial words; above, convex applique crown; below, plaque box with three plaques. The outline bears embossed and chased foliate decoration; at top center, canopy. Overall diapering. At lower edge, two blank shields pendant from chains; suspension chain hangs from two rings at back. Marked near base of left column. H: 425mm. Plaques not original.

This Tas is very similar to two others, one in the collection of the Jewish Museum (Grafman, No. 84, p. 1140) and one from the Feinberg collection (sold at Parke-Bernet, Nov. 29, 1967, lot 402). These were both made in Berlin. It is interesting to note that in the two other examples, the applique crown is set lower, so as not to obscure the canopy. This shield was possibly commissioned by a patron who had seen an example from Berlin and sketched his inspiration for a Russian silversmith.