Small Polish Silver Torah Breastplate. Poland or Prussia, Early 19th Century.
A magnificent silver breastplate with gilded accents, embossed, chased and pierced.
The center features a large, protruding circle depicting the Tablets and Ten Commandments, and a pierced window meant to display the current festival, with the festivals’ names meant to be inscribed on an innovative circular spinning plate applied to the back part. The item is surrounded by large rocailles, with a flower basket below and two lions flanking a cartouche. On both sides are two embossed pillars adorned with gilt foliage, with flowers on top, with a blue gemstone or colored glass set above each pillar. Gilt accents are added to various places, highlighting the plate’s remarkable beauty.
The breastplate has an embossed spiral border and an undulating edge. Several 6-kreuzer coins and one thaler coin, from the years 1805/6, dangle from the bottom like decorative bells. It is interesting to note that while the coins are German, the artistic style is clearly Polish, and it is assumed that the plate was crafted in the Polish regions annexed to Prussia (Germany).
Condition: Good condition. Suspension chain torn, one coin is missing.
Possibly a crown welded to the top is missing.
Size: Height: 13 cm (without chain and coins). Width: 13 cm.
Weight: 98 grams
Provenance: Yechezkel Toporowitch Collection
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