Important Judaica
Important Judaica
The Serque Collection
Auction Closed
June 5, 04:47 PM GMT
Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
A GERMAN SILVER-GILT TORAH SHIELD, NICOLAUS NELL(E), FRANKFURT AM MAIN, CIRCA 1730-40
rectangular, chased with an inscribed crowned cartouche supported by lions above a central inscribed baroque cartouche and open scroll inscribed in Hebrew "Moses commanded the Torah", at the base a compartment for portion plaques, the ground chased with trellis between columns entwined with grapevine topped by two-handled urns of flowers and fruit, with three pendant bells, one by Rudiger Herfurth, Frankfurt, with suspension chain and hook
marked on body near top, frame of compartment and hook with maker’s mark and city mark, marked on each of the five plaquettes with city mark
height without bells 11¼ in.
26 cm
The central medallion reads: “This belongs to the philanthropic nobleman, officer, supporter, and leader of the region, the esteemed Mr. Baruch ben Mr. Simeon of Arnheim [?], may the memory of the righteous be a blessing.”
The five plaquettes which all have a contemporary Frankfurt city mark are as follows: Sabbath/Passover between tulips, Sukkot/Shavout, Rosh Hashanah/Yom Kippur, Shemini-Atzeret/New Moon, Parashat-Shekalim/Parashat-Parah.
The maker Nicolaus Nell(e) worked 1710-1751. For a list of pieces by this prominent maker see W. Scheffler, Goldschmiede Hessens, p. 259, no. 367.