- Velour Torah scroll cover with gold braid from twentieth-century North Africa. The
Moorish arch in the centre contains a dedicatory Hebrew inscription in honour of a deceased
individual. The open right hand (hamsah) depicted at the end of the arabesque patterns in each
corner and above the arch is a sign of protection against the evil eye common among
Christians and Muslims as well as Jews. - Pair of silver rimmonim from the late
nineteenth century modelled on a Chinese
two-tiered pagoda, with balustrades of
cherry-blossom pattern and Chinese roof on
the first level, and with hooks for the bells on
each level. - (above right) Painted wooden Torah case from Yemen (nineteenth century). The use of
such wooden Torah cases, with the scroll kept upright within the case for reading, is found not
only in Yemen but also in some Jewish communities from Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Kurdistan,
Syria and North Africa.
jacob rumans
(Jacob Rumans)
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