Pair of Silver Torah Finials – Amsterdam, 18th Century – Reyndert Ringnalda

Pair of Torah finials by Reyndert Ringnalda. Amsterdam, the Netherlands, [1770s].

Silver, cast, repoussé, and pierced. Marked with the Amsterdam city mark, Amsterdam fineness mark, and the silversmith’s mark RR (Reyndert Ringnalda); later mark M2, probably a Dutch assayer mark. 

Each finial features a hexagonal tower-shaped body composed of two tiers, each surrounded by balconies, and surmounted by a parcel-gilt crown. Each of the sides is decorated with vegetal motifs and Rococo-style shell ornaments, with a central window featuring a gilt bell. Each finial is assembled from six individual sections set around a central rod mounted on a stem.

No other Judaica items by this silversmith are currently known. His known silverwork, which consists primarily of tableware, is dated to the 1770s through 1780. For further information, see: Citroen, Amsterdam Silversmiths and their Marks (1975), no. 795.

Height: 37.5 cm. Max. width: 11.5 cm. Good condition. Some of the bells may be later.