Pair of Torah finials (Rimmonim)
Austrian, Galicia (present day Poland/Ukraine)
This pair of finials was used in the synagogue to adorn the top of the staves holding the Torah scroll, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible. The Torah is decorated and honored with a set of vestments and ornaments which included finials, possibly in combination with a crown, and shield. Torah finials are used in almost all Jewish communities, and their different designs are responsive to local traditions. The ornate decoration of this pair, further embellished with pearls and precious gems, are testament to the wealth and influential status in the Eastern European congregations of the Austrian Empire.
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