A HUNGARIAN JEWEL-SET SILVER-GILT MINIATURE TORAH CROWN AND SHIELD

in the form of an arched Torah shield centered by a compartment, the cover of which shows the Ark and Aaron seated in splendor, within double columns, hung with two pendants with menorahs and dial for portion plaques; the Crown with similar chased plaque of the Tablets under a canopy supported by columns and hung with bells, topped by a crown flanked by tiers of bells, all set with rubies, emeralds, pearls, and diamonds and inscribed throughout, including "this is the work of my hands.. Mordecai the scribe, from Nitra, in the year [1842];" in leather display case.

Michael Zagayski collection, sold
Parke-Bernet Galleries, New York, March 18-19, 1964, lot 297

New York, The Jewish Museum, The Silver and Judaica Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Michael M. Zagayski, 1963, cat. no. 122
New York, Hebrew Union College, Jewish Institute of Religion, The Collector's Room:  Selections from the Michael and Judy Steinhardt Collection, 1993, no. 93, p. 28, illus. fig. 10

G. Schoenberger and T.L. Freudenheim, The Silver and Judaica Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Michael M. Zagayski, 1963, cat. no. 122

related literature

Alexander Scheiber, ‘Marcus Donath’s Second Misrah-plate,’ in Studies in Bibliography and Booklore, Vol. 10, no. 3/4 (Winter, 1973/74), pp. 80-82

Alexander Scheiber, ‘Markus Donath’s Mohel-book’ in Studies in Bibliography and Booklore, Vol. 12, 1979, pp. 9-11

Several pendant pearls missing from crown - otherwise good condition. Leather case scuffed.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Both the crown and shield are profusely engraved with Hebrew texts as follows:

the crown assembly

the top of upper platform of crown assembly, surrounding the crown:

“He made for himself a palanquin…the pillars thereof he made of silver…its interior inlaid with the love of the maidens of Jerusalem” (selection from Song of Songs 3:9-10)

the six bells:

“Praise Him with the blast of the horn; praise Him with the psaltery and harp. Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; praise Him with stringed instruments and the pipe. Praise Him with the loud-sounding cymbals; praise Him with the clanging cymbals.” (Psalms 150: 3-5)

the front of upper platform of crown assembly:

“The Crown of Torah” (Ethics of the Fathers 4:13)

the front, rear and sides of both upper and lower platforms of crown assembly:

“Great is Torah, for it gives life to its observers in this world, and in the World to Come. As is stated (Proverbs 4:22): ‘For they are life to he who finds them, and a healing to all his flesh.’ And it says (ibid. 3:8): ‘It shall be health to your navel, and marrow to your bones.’ And it says (3:18): ‘She is a tree of life for those who hold fast to her, and happy are those who support her.’ And it says (1:9): ‘For they shall be a garland of grace for your head, and necklaces about your neck.’ And it says (4:9): ‘She shall give to your head a garland of grace, a crown of glory she shall grant you.’ And it says (9:11): ‘With me, your days shall be increased, and years of life shall be added to you.’ And it says (3:16): ‘Long days in her right hand; in her left, wealth and honor.’ And it says (3:2): ‘For long days, years of life and peace, they shall add to you.’" (Ethics of the Fathers 6:7)

the backplate of crown assembly in the shape of a torah scroll:

“And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the hearing of the people; and they said: 'All that the LORD hath spoken will we do, and obey” (Exodus 24:7)

the front shield-plate within the crown assembly:

Initial words of each of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:6-21)

the front lower deck of crown assembly:

“Blessed is He who gave the Torah to His people Israel, in His holiness" (Liturgy)

in addition, the rear deck of the crown assembly is inscribed by the maker:

See this is something new which never existed since the day the Torah was given to Israel in His wisdom and understanding. This is the work of my hands, Mordecai the Scribe from Nitra in the year, "riches and honor" [5]602 (1841/1842)

the shield

the chain links:

“And they made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and wrote upon it a writing, like the engravings of a signet: holy to the Lord” (Exodus 39:30)

the central plaque and wheel assembly, suspended from chains:

“Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them: The appointed seasons of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are My appointed seasons” (Leviticus 23:2)

the wheel inscribed with holiday names:

Shabbat, Pesah, Shavuot, Rosh ha-Shana, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shmini Atzeret, Simhat Torah

the plaques with menorahs, suspended from chains:

"Every one that thirsteth, come ye for water” (Isaiah 55:1)

the shield (at top, center, and bottom):

Top: “I have set the Lord always before me” (Psalms 16:8); center: “And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8); bottom: “And in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee” (Exodus 25:2)

Mordecai (Marcus) ben Jozl Donath of Nitra was an expert scribe as well as an accomplished engraver. He was one of the most productive Jewish scribe/artists of the early 19th century and was widely renowned for his beautifully decorated and illustrated circumcision manuscript. As an engraver his oeuvre included striking Esther Scrolls, birth amulets and omer-calendar books, in which his especially masterful command of micrography as well as the demanding and distinctive technique known as ribbon lettering, embellish many of the elaborate initial word decorations.  Until the appearance of this Torah Compendium, scholars of Jewish art had not known that Mordecai of Nitra also expressed his unique creative genius in precious metals.

Examples of his handwritten manuscripts and engraved works may be found in the collections of the Israel Museum, the Wolfson Museum of Hechal Shlomo, Jerusalem, the Hungarian Jewish Museum in Budapest, the Library of the Jewish Theological Seminary, New York as well as in private collections. The present Torah Compendium, however, is the only known example of Mordecai of Nitra’s original and inspired art to extend beyond the page and the written word. It is without question, the most accomplished and exquisite work of art executed by this 19th century master.