Images(4)

Pair of Torah Finials with Pointer

Artist John Robins British, London, died 1831

Date1783/84 [per date mark]

MediumSilver, partly gilded, velvet

DimensionsFinials: H. 14 1/2 in. (36.8 cm)
Pointer: L. 11 in. (27.9 cm)

ClassificationsMetal

Credit LinePurchased with funds from Wendy and Mike Brenner, Alice and Daniel Satisky, Phyllis Shavitz and Family in memory of Stanley Shavitz, and other Friends of the Judaic Art Gallery

Object number2011.5/a-c

On View

On view

ProvenanceCreated London, 1783/84 [1]; Plymouth Hebrew Congregation, Plymouth, England, 1783–2009; [Bonham’s, New Bond Street, London, November 25, 2009, no. 307, illus. (color)]; [S.J. Philips, Ltd., London]; sold to NCMA, 2011.Published ReferencesJonathan Stone, "English Silver Rimmonim and their Makers," Quest (London), vol. 1 (1965).

Bernard Susser, The Jews of South-West England: The Rise and Decline of Their Medieval and Modern Communities (Exeter: University of Exeter Press, 1993), mentioned 220.

Evelyn Friedlander, The Jews of Devon and Cornwall: Essays and Exhibition Catalogue (London: Hidden Legacy Foundation, 2000), mentioned.

John Coffey, "Torah Silver Combines Beauty and History," NCMA blog, March 2012 (online: http://ncartmuseum.org/untitled/2012/03/torah-silver-combines-beauty-and-history/

In addition to the above, there are numerous citations in the general and art press, both in print and online, relating to the controversial sale of these Torah ornaments by the Plymouth Synagogue. A selection follows:

"Historic prayer items from oldest synagogue in the English-speaking world, in Plymouth, to be auctioned by Bonhams," Bonham's website (http://www.bonhams.com/cgi-bin/public.sh/pubweb/publicSite.r?sContinent=Eur&screen=HeadlineDetails&iHeadlineNo=4381).

Robyn Rosen, "Plymouth synagogue sells off its family silver," Jewish Chronicle (London), Oct. 8, 2009
(online: http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/20832/plymouth-synagogue-sells-its-family-silver).

Simon de Bruxelles, "Silver treasure from 'dying' Plymouth synagogue fetches £176,000," The Times (London), Nov. 26, 2009 (online: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article6932579.ece).

Joseph Manning, "Synagogue Auctions Its Silver Judaica," The Forward (New York), November 13, 2009 (online: http://www.forward.com/Synagogue Auctions Its Silver Judaica).
Exhibition HistoryRaleigh, NC, North Carolina Museum of Art, "The People's Collection, Reimagined," October 7, 2022–present. Object Rights Statement

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