A Gold-Embroidered Torah Mantle, Turkey, 19th century

A Gold-Embroidered Torah Mantle, Turkey, 19th century

This long, cylindrical, and splendidly embroidered Torah mantle follows the classic design of Torah mantles from the Ottoman Empire, and from Turkey specifically. It is interesting that the most prominent motif on this mantle is that of a star and crescent, which was adopted as the Ottoman state symbol during the reign of Mustafa III (1757-1774) and was later incorporated into the flag of the Ottoman Empire. The Jews had established important communities throughout the Ottoman Empire, and it is perhaps not surprising that they incorporated this national symbol into the textiles created for ritual use as a sign of pride in their homeland.

Physical Description

Velvet and gilt metal-thread embroidery. Height: 37 1/2 in.; 950 mm.

Literature

Esther Juhasz (ed.), Sephardi Jews in the Ottoman Empire: Aspects of Material Culture (Jerusalem: The Israel Museum, 1990), 64-81.