This exceptional antique German 800 standard silver Torah breastplate has a circular shaped form.
The surface of the breastplate is ornamented with embossed and engraved elements depicting the pillars of Solomon's Temple surmounted with lions of Judah supporters grasping a coronet design.
The centre of the breastplate bears a central design modelled in the form of the Tablets of Stone*, surmounting a plaque bearing a Hebrew engraved inscription 'שבתק'.
The body of this exceptional silver breastplate is embellished with a broad embossed scrolling foliate decorated border, accented with three silver bells to the lower edge.
The piece is suspended from two linked chains, conjoining to the centre of the upper border with a ring loop.
The hallmarks struck to the surface of this torah shield include:
Silver quality/purity mark: .800 (800/1000)
National mark: Crescent moon and crown
A silver Torah breastplate is a meaningful ceremonial gift, often donated to a synagogue to commemorate significant occasions such as a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, wedding, birth, anniversary, or in memory of a loved one. It also serves to honour esteemed rabbis or community leaders, symbolising enduring respect and spiritual legacy.
* The Tablets of Stone (Hebrew: לוּחֹת הַבְּרִית Luchot HaBrit - 'the tablets [of] the covenant') can be found in the Hebrew Bible, Exodus 34:1. These were the two pieces of stone inscribed by Moses on Mount Sinai, with the Ten Commandments; later in Exodus they are referenced to as Tablets of the Testimony.
NOTE: The breastplate (Hebrew: ḥoshen mishpat) can be categorised as both a Torah ornament and Jewish ceremonial art. They are functional ornamental metal plates/shields which are suspended in front of the Torah scroll.
In the 17th century the breastplate was classically square or rectangular, however in the 18th century this developed to become more rounded with decorative borders. Further embellishments such as bells and small dedicatory plaques were suspended from the lower edge. These design features were influenced by the Torah Ark (Hebrew: aron kodesh or aron ha-kodesh) and the parokhet (curtain) which are used to concealing the Torah.
Some Jewish communities keep their Torah scrolls in a case (tik), whereas others may use the breastplate as more than just an ornament, with interchangeable plaques for the occasions Torah readings and festivals. Typically small interchangeable plaques would be kept in the special holder fixed in the centre of the breastplate.
Maker: Unmarked
Date: Circa 1950
