AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN SILVER NEW YEAR TORAH SHIELD.

Kesmark, 1800

Torah ark-shape with rectangular window at center enclosing single silver plate engraved with Hebrew acronym for ‘Rosh HaShanah’ surrounded by two low-relief vignettes relating to the episodes described in the Torah portions read on the two days of the Jewish New Year. Above: The Sacrifice of Isaac (Genesis 22:1) and below: Abraham preparing food for his guests (18:8) with Biblical verses engraved in Hebrew. At base are two additional cartouches framing likenesses of an oil pitcher and merman with bow and arrow (possibly further references to the Jewish New Year where the Jewish People symbolically anoint God as King, and eat the head of a fish). Flanking the central portion of the shield are two columns surmounted by crowned lions rampant and regardant supporting a convex crown with five suspended tassel-like bells topped with knob finial and hanging ring. Along outer border, draped, parted valances frame the shield and terminate with seven, alternating bells in traditional and tassel-like shapes. Marked. 17 x 9.75 inches.

For a near-identical, mid-18th century example, see Israel Museum Catalogue, The Stieglitz Collection (1987) no. 30.I; executed by Johann Christoph Drentwett, Augsburg, 1744.