Torah shield. [Apparently Poland, ca. mid-19th century].
Silver (marked, on three screwed-on parts only), cast, repouss?, engraved and soldered; gilt.
On the left and right are two massive Corinthian columns, entwined in flowering branches. Perched on the beams above the column capitols are two large griffons holding a crown-shaped decoration (attached with two screws) and flowering branches. Beneath the crown are the Tablets of the Law with the Ten Commandments, and in the center is a scene depicting the Binding of Isaac, surmounted by two lion-shaped ornaments (attached with screws and bolts).
Length: 31 cm, width: 27.5 cm. The Binding of Isaac scene – a piece of silver measuring approx. 15X16 cm – was soldered on to the shield at a later stage, apparently still in the course of the 19th century.