Exquisite Gold Torah pointer for Sefer Torah
Presumably France, 19th century
Gold pointers for Sifrei Torah are very rare, especially at this large size, 24 cm!
A magnificent 14k gold (marked) decorated yad-pointer engraved with the verse, "It [the Torah] is a tree of life for those who hold it." In good condition (see full description below).
The Sefer Torah is, undoubtedly, the object most sacred and treasured by the Jewish people.
Jewish communities throughout the ages have sought to beautify and decorate Sifrei Torah with silver crowns, breastplates, and more, following the dictum of the Sages who instructed to “Make a beautiful Sefer Torah before Him” (Shabbos 133b).
The yad, a pointer, is used while reading the Torah in order to mark the correct place. Some congregations also use the yad to point to the Sefer Torah while the Torah is raised and displayed for the congregation and the verse, “Vezos HaTorah asher sam Moshe l’einei Bnei Yisrael" is recited.
Description: The yad is marked 585 (14K) in two places, stamped with the artisan’s mark “SW” and an additional unidentified mark. The item is beautifully cast, engraved, and carved with a cylindrical body composed of ornamented segments . The top is adorned with a crown followed by a band, and two decorated sections with rocaille and floral patterns separated by a second band. The next section is smooth and engraved with the verse, “It (the Torah) is a tree of life …” Below this engraving are two additional small sections, with a cast hand and pointed index finger emerging from it. The gold color of the upper section between the two bands differs slightly from that of the lower sections.
Very rare, beautiful item!
Condition: Good. possibly one of the sections was restored.
Size
: Length: 24 cm.
Provenance: Yechezkel Toporowitch Collection
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