Grand Silver Besamim Tower.
Augsburg, Late 17th Century
This is a very important, rare and valuable three-tier silver besamim holder featuring a decorative spire and four men standing guard on the tower. It previously belonged to Maharam Weil.
The present besamim tower is twice marked with the city hallmark and artisan’s insignia. The letter M appears above and W below, both on the base and balcony, and feature both hallmarks. The item is mounted on a heavy octagonal base, engraved and decorated with high-quality relief, typical of the period.
The foot is cylindrical with a protruding ring in its center. The first tier, which is the main body of the tower, is octagonal and engraved with pierced windows, some latticed, as well as a door with a flower-shaped lock handle. The name
"Maharam Weil" is engraved on the outside of the door, and the name "Mottel" is engraved on the inside. Around the door is an attractively engraved stone arch.
The second tier features a smaller cylinder with arched windows surrounded by an octagonal balcony with stylized column railings supporting four figures (tower guards), each different in appearance. It seems that the artist took great pains to mold each figure differently in order to add life and diversity to the item, as people indeed differ from each other in appearance.
The besamim holder is topped by a cylindrical third tier, also with arched windows, which opens by unscrewing it from the middle tier. Surmounted by a spire engraved with tiles, ending in a knob and pennant with fluttering edges, each curving is in a different direction (either for decorative purposes or to avoid injuring the hands, or perhaps both).
It appears that the tower belonged to one of the rabbis of the famous Weil family, which included the notable rabbis; Maharam Weil author of Korban Nesanel, and his sons (Rabbi Yedidya Tiya Weil and Rabbi Meir Weil, Av Beis Din of Berlin), among others.
Condition: Good; the middle part (surrounded by the balcony) was reconstructed and restored.
Size: Height: 33 cm high; width: 10 cm
Judaica masterpiece with distinguished provenance!
Provenance:
1) Ader Nordman Auction France, 2018.
2) Yechezkel Toporowitch Collection.
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