- Object Name:
- Torah Shield / Hanukkah Lamp
- Artist/Maker:
- M A (bench)
- Place Made:
- Germany (backplate), Austria (bench)
- Date:
- late 18th century (backplate); 1823 (bench)
- Medium:
- Silver: repoussé, parcel-gilt, appliqué, cast, die-stamped, and pierced; copper alloy: silver-plated
- Dimensions:
- 13 × 9 3/16 × 3 13/16 in. (33 × 23.4 × 9.7 cm)
- Credit Line:
- Gift of Dr. Harry G. Friedman
- Accession Number:
- F 3460
Not On View
This Torah shield made in Germany in the late eighteenth century was later converted into a Hanukkah lamp with the addition of a bench made in the early nineteenth century. It is unusual to see this kind of conversion, because it represents the "demotion" of an object used for the most sacred purpose, the service of the Torah, for one of less significance. However, several examples of this practice are known.
Information may change as a result of ongoing research.