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Pair of Torah Finials
Myer Myers (American, about 1723–1795)
1766–76
Medium/Technique
Silver and brass with parcel gilding
Dimensions
Overall: 36.8 cm (14 1/2 in.)
Credit Line
From the Touro Synagogue, Newport, R.I. Collection of Congregation Shearith Israel, N.Y.
Accession NumberL-R 44.2019.1-2
ClassificationsSilver
DescriptionTorah finials decorate the top of Torah scrolls, their bells making festive sounds when they are carried around the synagogue. Their Hebrew name "Rimonim' means pomegranates, because of the round shape recalling the biblical symbolic fruit
This splendid pair, on loan from Congregation Shearith Israel in New York (est. 1654), is an exceptionally rare example of colonial American Judaica. They were made by Myer Myers, a Jewish silversmith who led the market in 18th-century New York. Myers’ busy workshop produced luxury silverware for both domestic and religious use for its Jewish and non-Jewish clients.
These finials hold a very special place in Jewish American history: they were used by the two earliest communities in the country, founded by Sephardic (Spanish and Portuguese) Jews in New York and Newport. They were in fact most probably in the Newport synagogue during George Washington’s famous visit on August 18th, 1790. Today the New York congregation uses the beautiful Rimonim during the High Holidays.
This splendid pair, on loan from Congregation Shearith Israel in New York (est. 1654), is an exceptionally rare example of colonial American Judaica. They were made by Myer Myers, a Jewish silversmith who led the market in 18th-century New York. Myers’ busy workshop produced luxury silverware for both domestic and religious use for its Jewish and non-Jewish clients.
These finials hold a very special place in Jewish American history: they were used by the two earliest communities in the country, founded by Sephardic (Spanish and Portuguese) Jews in New York and Newport. They were in fact most probably in the Newport synagogue during George Washington’s famous visit on August 18th, 1790. Today the New York congregation uses the beautiful Rimonim during the High Holidays.