 Jewelry for a Torah Scroll (Sefer Torah). The Torah breastplate (scudo) illustrated here was created for the 2002 Har-El Musa exhibition in Jerusalem. It follows the Greek and Roman style, and is in two parts, the smaller floral decorated oval indicates a given holiday or other position that the scroll inside is to be used for. The lower element with the main design, carries the phrase from Psalms "I place my love for Your commandments above that of gold and fine gold", and to help convey that concept graphically, the piece was created on copper sheet, nickel, silver and gold plated, and then some areas were etched in a way that underlying metals were also exposed, thus giving the eye a special treat in the "moving" of one metal within the other----as gold is never found pure, this also reminds us of the electrum that is so often referred to in such prophetic books as Isaiah. The actual phrase is a seperate gold plated sheet pierced and riveted on to the bottom sheet for an extra visual effect. In researching, Nathanael decided to use second temple period six side cartouches common to Greek and Roman synagogue art of that time, and these designs were slightly domed for an extra effect. Chains link up the whole piece, and the top oval can thus be quickly and easily changed, for either dedication plate or another holiday plate. Bells and chiming tubes adorn the bottom for a pleasant musical effect. |
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Sabbath and Holiday Table Serving Pieces: Serving spoon, fish server, trident. These pieces are ideal gifts for a wedding, and the couples' names may be ordered on the handles. On the shank, either the artists choice of design is etched, or perhaps a special design motif from the couples' wedding invitation or other design may be ordered. The concept was originally created for the Nachon Italian Jewish Museum, and the handles are topped with the scollop shell motif popular with Italian Jewish tradition. The word "Jerusalem" in Hebrew may be ordered instead of a name. The pieces may be ordered in silver or gold plated brass, or in 928 sterling silver. Each comes packaged in a drawstring velour cylindrical bag. |
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The traditional of creating a Jewish ritual object from something mundane is a very old tradition. These hannukah lamps, which are to be mounted on the wall, were hammered from quartered olive oil jerrycans. The first designs were created for and shown in the 1999 "Jerry can" exhibition at the Jerusalem House of Quality. The concept was well received. The design themes are indemic of Italian tradional chanukkiot, with a hand holding a oil pot extending from a cloud and miraculously refuelling the already lit menorah, as related in the chanukkah story. The channukiot may be a hand holding a oil pot extending from a cloud and miraculously refuelling the already lit menorah, as related in the chanukkah story. The channukiot may be ordered with the traditional eight plus shamash holders, or eight plus shamash plus two shabbat holders. Glass cuplets may be ordered for these wishing to light with oil. |
A century ago, shabbat lamps in Jerusalem were mounted on the wall, and burned oil. These brass and copper shabbat lamps are available in a number of designs, and can burn either wax or oil. They can also be ordered fashioned from recycled tin, as shown in the bottom picture. |
 Mizrach Brass Round $100 |
 Doves Brass $150 |
 Goats in a Tree Brass $250 |
 Lions and Menorah Brass $150 |