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The gold Torah crown presented
to the Collection in 2001 |
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This superb gold Torah crown set with jewels
was bought by Sir Arthur Gilbert in New York in 1999 for $1.2 million.
He presented this fabulous treasure to the Gilbert Collection at Somerset
House to celebrate the first anniversary of the opening of the museum,
in May 2001, where it joined the gold, silver, gold boxes and mosaics
that comprise the munificent gift Sir Arthur made to the nation in 1996.
The Torah crown became the focal point of a special exhibition which opened
to the public on Friday 25 May 2001.
A torah is a scroll containing the Five Books
of Moses (Old Testament) central to Jewish law and learning. As a mark
of respect and veneration, scrolls are often decorated and a crown is
part of this adornment. This particular crown is extremely elaborate and
was probably made in Vienna around 1825 for the private use of an eminent
rabbi.
Decorated with sprays of flowers set with rubies,
emeralds, rose diamonds and turquoises, the crown has six panels between
which are eagles with diamond-studded heads and wings, floral tails set
with diamonds, rubies and amethysts and with bells suspended from the
beaks, the clappers set with rubies. The top is formed as a diamond-set
basket filled with gold flowers with turquoise, ruby and diamond centres
and mounted with three larger flowers en tremblant, one set with an old
mine diamond weighing approximately 1.8 carats and two set with rose diamonds
each of approximately 1 carat.
This important piece of Judaica is one of very
few gold and jewelled articles of Jewish ritual art. It is said to have
originated from the Court of Rabbi Israel Ruzhin, the Ruzhiner Rebbe who
was a Hassidic leader and great-grandson of the famed Maggid of Mezhirech,
Dov Baer. Rabbi Israel's luxurious 'court' in Ruzhin (modern-day Ukraine)
was known for its opulence and he saw no conflict between wealth and spirituality.
After his death each of his six sons established Hassidic dynasties with
large numbers of followers. It is believed that at least two of them received
golden Torah crowns before leaving Galicia (also modern-day Ukraine) and
by tradition this one was given to his son Rabbi Nachum.
The exceptionally high quality of workmanship
distinguishes this piece from almost any other known example of Jewish
ritual art. Such a rare and highly important object is a truly worthy
addition to the fabulous Gilbert Collection which has proved to be a glittering
addition to London's cultural scene.
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director's
choice