Arm reliquary
c. 1350-1400
France
Silver, parcel gilt, ruby, saphires, garnet, spinel, beryl, quartzes, pearls, rock crystal
2016.37
A reliquary contains a relic (or what is recognized as a relic) of a particular saint—often a fragment of bone or other body part—and often takes the form of the source of the relic. Reliquaries were commissioned by Catholic churches from prominent local goldsmiths, starting in the Middle Ages, and displayed for veneration in church and in holy processions. Arm reliquaries were a favorite form at this time as priests would use them to touch the faithful, believing that the power of the deceased saint could help heal them.
It is not known whether this reliquary was intended for a congregation in Brittany, in northern France, or in southern England, where it is thought to have originated and was most recently collected. Its realistic use of sheet silver wrapping the hand, with fingers raised in blessing, and its rich adornment with precious stones, silver-gilt banding in imitation of richly embroidered trim, and a rock crystal reliquary compartment (now empty) continue to make it a captivating object.
Ceremonial wedding ring
c. 1960
Israel
Silver
2001.177.2a,b
Dreidel (top)
c. 1900
Judaica
Brass, nickel alloy
98.136.1
Groggers (noise makers)
Grogger (noise maker)
20th century
Copper alloy
98.136.16
Grogger (noise maker)
Michael Ende
c. 1985
Israeli
Silver, copper alloy
98.136.2
The Hebrew inscription on the top of this grogger translates, "Cursed be Haman, cursed be all the evil people." Here Haman is depicted as a Cossack, a group that carried out brutal pogroms against the Jews in Russia.
Hand pendant
Unknown Arab, Berber, or Jewish
about 1850
19th century
Morocco
Silver, enamel, glass
91.141.17
The hand motif as a sign of protection, widespread in northern Africa even today, dates back to ancient Mesopotamia. In Arab cultures, it is popularly called the “Hand of Fatima,” after the Prophet Muhammad’s daughter, while Jews in the Maghreb call it khamsa, from “five” in Arabic. The hand is believed to deflect the negative energy of the evil eye.
Rimmonim (Torah finials)
early 20th century
Russia (probably)
Silver
2002.137.1.1
Rimmonim (Torah finial)
early 20th century
Morocco
Silver, gilt silver
2000.66.3.1
Rimon is Hebrew for pomegranate, a fruit that grows in Israel and other parts of the Middle East and is often eaten on the Jewish New Year. The pomegranate is said to have 613 seeds, the number of commandments found in the Torah. This pair of rimmonim (plural) echo the rounded pomegranate shape while the complex filligree wire provide an organic motif. The staves on which the Torah is rolled are often referred to as Etz Hayim or the "Tree of Life," so the rimmonim are thought to represent the fruit of that tree.
Torah crown
Unknown artist
late 19th-early 20th century
Silver
United States
2000.229.2
Torah scroll case (Tik)
early 20th century
Iraq
Brass, cloth, beads, wire
2003.165.1a-c
This hard sided tik, or Torah scroll container, is representative of the type used in the Sephardic tradition. Fashioned of wood or metal, the hard construction made it easy to transport and provided more protection for the Torah than the Ashkenazi cloth mantle (see an example from the permanent collection on the other side of this gallery). This particular tik was made in Baghdad in the early twentieth century, a city famous for its metalwork.
Torah shield
19th-early 20th century
Unknown artist
Judaica
Silver
2000.229.1
Yad (Torah pointer)
Unknown artist
c. 1870
Austria
Silver
98.156.2a,b
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