Single Torah Finial – Morocco, 18th Century

Single Torah Finial – Morocco, 18th Century
Single Torah finial. Morocco, [Tafilalt? 18th century].
Brass, cast; chased; enamel.
Single Torah finial (known in many Sephardic Jewish communities by the Hebrew term "tapu'ah" [lit. "apple"]). With tall, cylindrical, wide-based shaft, tapering upward toward body. Finial body composed of two convex panels soldered together. Entire surface, including shaft, decorated with vegetal patterns, mostly scrolling tendrils and flowers. A large multi-petaled flower appears in relief at the center of either side of the body. The tendrils and flowers are set with enamel in shades of turquoise, green, white, and pink.
This particular Torah finial represents a rare, early example – quite possibly the only extant one of its kind – of a type with a similar form, known from the Tafilalt and Sefrou regions from the 19th and 20th centuries. However, these later models, made of brass or silver, would bear clover-shaped side ornaments from which chains would usually be suspended. They would also be surmounted by an additional ornament. They further differed from the present finial in terms of the quality of workmanship and the techniques employed in their creation.
Height: 22 cm. Enamel partly missing. Possibly missing ornament in upper part. Flowers at center of body may have originally been inlaid with gemstones.
See: Aviva Müller-Lancet (ed.), "Jewish Life in Morocco, " exhibition catalogue, The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, 2nd edition, 1983, Item nos. 68-69; The Israel Museum Collection, no. B63.11.3282(a-b).