Rimmon thumbnail 1
Rimmon thumbnail 2
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Not currently on display at the V&A

Rimmon

ca. 1780 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Central to Jewish observance is the Torah, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible. The scroll on which the Torah is written is wound on rollers called ‘Trees of Life’ (‘Atzei Hayyim’). It is customary to decorate the rollers with either a crown or a pair of rimmonim. The crown symbolises Majesty and the Law of Torah. The rimmonim evoke the bells worn on the High Priest’s robe as described in the Book of Exodus.

The word rimmonim comes from the Hebrew word for pomegranates. This fine pair belonged to the Sassoon family and was displayed in the Anglo-Jewish Historical Exhibition in London in 1887.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Silver-gilt and filigree
Brief description
Rimmon, silver-gilt and filigree, engraved with bells and a crown finial. Netherlands, ca.1780.
Physical description
Silver-gilt and filigree rimmon (Torah finial). Tiered hexagonal forms with four rows of bells, with a crown finial and engraved staves.
Dimensions
  • Height: 39cm
  • Width: 10cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • Gilded silver Hebrew characters in the centre of the finial, 'Crown'.
  • Staves inscribed 'P. Salomons, Esq.'
Gallery label
Pair of Rimmonim Rimmonim are used to ornament the staves of the Torah scroll. The word comes from the Hebrew word for pomegranates. This fine pair belonged to the Sassoon family and was shown in the Anglo-Jewish Historical Exhibition in London in 1887. The Netherlands, circa 1780 Silver-gilt and filigree (silver wire) The crown-shaped finial inscribed in Hebrew with 'Crown of Torah', the staves inscribed 'P. Salomons, Esq.' museum nos.M.27.28-2009 Presented by Lady Marjorie Gilbert through the American Friends of the Art Fund(2009)
Credit line
Presented by Lady Marjorie Gilbert through the American Friends of The Art Fund
Object history
Provenance: The Sassoon Family Estate
Historical context
One of a pair with M.28-2009
Summary
Central to Jewish observance is the Torah, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible. The scroll on which the Torah is written is wound on rollers called ‘Trees of Life’ (‘Atzei Hayyim’). It is customary to decorate the rollers with either a crown or a pair of rimmonim. The crown symbolises Majesty and the Law of Torah. The rimmonim evoke the bells worn on the High Priest’s robe as described in the Book of Exodus.

The word rimmonim comes from the Hebrew word for pomegranates. This fine pair belonged to the Sassoon family and was displayed in the Anglo-Jewish Historical Exhibition in London in 1887.
Associated object
M.28-2009 (Set)
Bibliographic reference
Catalogue of the Anglo-Jewish Historical Exhibition : Royal Albert Hall, 1887, London : F. Haes, 1888 no.2050
Collection
Accession number
M.27-2009

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Record createdMay 26, 2009
Record URL
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