A German Parcel-Gilt Silver Torah Shield, Frantz Wagner, Hamburg, 1716-28 and later

embossed and chased with fruiting foliage and Régence ornament around coloured paste-set crowns and central container for four festival plaques inscribed in Hebrew on either side, suspension chain; the fitted back-plate, similarly embossed, applied and gem-set, two chain-hung shields, inscribed in Hebrew, with dedicatory inscription of Aaron son of Leiblamm Parshat Noach (October) 1815, wood case

This lot and the following were given with £200 to the congregation in 1913 by Gustave Meyer of Stockholm.  His father Rev. David Meyer was minister of the Nottingham congregation from 1858 to 1868, then from 1869 to 1881 President of the Community.  He was also the founder and teacher of an innovative Jewish Day School.  His retirement was marked by an address and the presentation of a silver cup, and one commentator described David Meyer as "one of the finest men that has been associated at any time with the Nottingham community." 

Nottingham Castle Museum, Nottingham, c. 1990

detachable into seven sections plus central stave. Marked on four of the sections. One bell lacking clapper, one section with dent at top, and one section with two tiny splits at seam join, otherwise very minor dents only, general condition very good throughout, marks clear, good colour
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The inscription on the shields read in translation:
`The humble Aaron, son of Leib to his people in memory of the saintly departed on the Sabbath where one reads the portion of Noah in the year equivalent to 1815' and `in honour of the Lord and his Torah and in memory of my father and honour of my wife, my sons and daughters'

The part of this Torah shield comprises the whole of the central parcel-gilt section, including the three smaller crowns and compartment for the festival plaques. This is made clear by comparison with another almost identical shield by the same goldsmith, illustrated Erich Schliemann et al. Die Goldschmiede Hamburgs, Hamburg 1985, Vol III , no. 84.  The smaller early shield was fitted to the larger backplate some time in the early 19^th century, as suggested by the style and workmanship of the latter and by the inscribed date of 1815 on one of the pendant shields.

This lot and the following were given with £200 to the congregation in 1913 by Gustave Meyer of Stockholm.  His father Rev. David Meyer was minister of the Nottingham congregation from 1858 to 1868, then from 1869 to 1881 President of the Community.  He was also the founder and teacher of an innovative Jewish Day School.  His retirement was marked by an address and the presentation of a silver cup, and one commentator described David Meyer as "one of the finest men that has been associated at any time with the Nottingham community."