Torah Shield – Johann Jonas Meyer – Nuremberg, 1780-1783

Torah shield, by Johann Jonas Meyer, silversmith. Nuremberg, Germany, 1780-1783.

Silver, cast, stamped, repoussé, and engraved (marked with Nuremberg municipal mark – the letter N; year mark E for years 1780-1783; and maker’s mark, the initials IM in square brackets for Johann Jonas Meyer).

A model typical of Torah shields originating from Nuremberg. At the top is a royal crown, protruding in relief. Underneath this is a concave ornament in the form of a scallop seashell. At the center of the shield, at either side and also in relief, are a pair of spirally-patterned architectonic columns. The columns are surmounted by rampant lions, and are supported on square bases, convexly rounded. Between the columns is an ornament in the shape of the (blank) Two Tablets of the Law, and under this, a rectangular compartment for interchangeable plaques (enclosed, a single double-sided plaque, rectangular but with rounded corners). Much of the surface of the shield bears patterns characteristic of the Rococo. Three bells, suspended by rings, dangle from the bottom edge of the shield. Original suspension chain.

Height: 26.5 cm. Width: 21 cm. Overall good condition. Several old fractures and old soldering repairs. Several strips at edges professionally replaced with old repairs. Bell missing from royal crown at top. Enclosed interchangeable plaque apparently not original.

For a similar Torah shield also created by this silversmith, see: Sotheby’s, New York, June 5, 2019, Lot 49.