Parcel-gilt silver tall Elijah staff set with turquoises, Afghanistan, dated 1884

shaft chased with spiral ribbons of trefoils on matted ground and also with spiraled Hebrew inscriptions, with two collars of champlevé turquoises, the mushroom-shaped top partly gilt and chased with spiral fluting, with fabric cover, inscribed in Hebrew 'This is the staff that was dedicated by Jacob Hayyim son of Mordechai Gul to the Synagogue in Herat in the year [5]644=1884.

Afghanistan: The Synagogue and the Jewish Home, by Zohar Hanegbi and Bracha Yaniv, (Jerusalem, 1991), image 51 cat. 57.

Numerous dents, several turquoise stones missing, lower rim of top with a bit ragged.
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.

The Elijah’s Staff has an important role in Afghan  circumcision. Stored in a cloth sack it was kept in the  Torah Ark of the synagogue and brought out for the circumcision ceremony, being lent against the big Elijah’s chair. It was reputed to have remedial powers associated with the story of Elijah  curing the widow’s son  ( I Kings 17:21-24) and Elisha  his disciple who sent his servant  to revive the son of the Shunammite woman with his staff (II Kings 4:29). The staff was brought to the mother’s house for the protection of the newborn  and water  used to rinse the staff was imbibed by one of the community’s infirm for its curative powers. See  Zohar Haneghi and Bracha Yaniv, op. cit. pp. 34-35 and catalogue description no 57 p.156.