The Montefiore Centrepiece, silver, designed by George Hayter, sculpted by Edward Hodges Baily, with the mark of Mortimer and Hunt, London, 1842-3, on historic wooden stand.

Sculpted silver centrepiece.

Lent by the Trustees of the Montefiore Endowment, Ramsgate

Sculpted by Edward Hodges Baily. The Board of Deputies presented this testimonial to Sir Moses Montefiore, a prominent Jewish stockbroker and philanthropist, after the Damascus Affair of 1840. Montefiore led a successful mission to Istanbul where he interceded with the Sultan on behalf of wrongly imprisoned Jews.

The mission itself is depicted on the panels around the stand, and the imagery is symbolic of relief from oppression. The sphinxes stand for the captivity of Israel in Egypt; the four figures are Moses, Ezra, the great deliverer of the people, a Jew of Damascus in chains, and one released. On the top is David rescuing the lamb from the lion. The base is chased with images of the passage of the Red Sea; Lawless Violence in the world, shown as wolves devouring flocks, and the Millennium, as spoken of by the prophet Isaiah.

The testimonial weighs 1,319 oz, and was displayed with its specially-made case at the Great Exhibition of 1851, and at the Anglo-Jewish Exhibition of 1887.

The following extract comes from ''THE DIARIES OF SIR MOSES AND LADY MONTEFIORE, comprising their life and work as recorded in their diaries from 1812 to 1883, edited by Dr l. Loewe, In two volumes with illustrations, Vol. I (Belford-clarke Co, Chicago, 1890)'

"1843 ADDRESS AND TESTIMONIAL FROM THE JEWS - SIR MOSES' SPEECH IN REPLY ..."

"February 27th - A large number of his Jewish brethren in the United Kingdom, Jamaica, Barbadoes, and Gibraltar, presented him with a testimonial of respect and gratitude in commemoration of the many personal sacrifices made, and the philanthropy displayed by him and Lady Montefiore during his Mission to the East, Anno Mundi 5600 (1840).

It was designed by Sir George Hayter, modelled by E. Bailey, R.A., and executed by Messrs Mortimer & Hunt, and is an exquisite piece of workmanship, both as regards the design and execution. It is exclusively ornamental, adapted for no special purpose, and is, as it were, a kind of miniature monument. It is three and a half feet high, weighs 1319 ounces of silver, and has a large base. The most prominent figure, which surmounts the whole work, represents David conquering the lion and rescuing the lamb (as in First Book of Samuel xvii 34 and 35), and is emblematical of the victory over oppressive force, and the delivery of innocence effected by the Mission. This is the chef d'oeuvre of the work which is full of fine allegorical details.

Immediately under this figure are four bas-reliefs, representing respectively (1) the landing of Sir Moses and his party at Alexandria (2) the audience with the Sultan at Constantinople on the granting of the firman (3) the liberation of the prisoners at Damascus and (4) the public thanksgiving on the return of Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore to London. On the four corners of the base are exquisite figures in frosted silver, two representing Moses and Ezra, the great deliverers of their people in ancient times, and the other two some of the accused Jews of Damascus, one in chains, bowed down by grief, the other in an attitude of thanksgiving, with the fetters lying broken at his feet.

The chairman (Mr H. de Castro), accompanied by the Committee, prefaced the presentation by reading an address, engrossed on vellum. A vellum scroll was also added, containing the series of resolutions adopted at the public meeting in 1840, and the name of every contributor to the testimonal, copied from the lists furnished to the Committee, and arranged according to residence.

The following is a copy of the address:

"Esteemed Sir, We have long looked forward to the present as a moment of high and honourable gratification, when we should come forward on behalf of the Jewish community to present to you this manifestation of their gratitude and esteem. The services which, at a period of excitement, you rendered, in a foreign clime, to religion and humanity, were such as are rarely called into requisition. The alacrity, spirit, and zeal with which you embarked into the cause, were only equalled by the liberality, judgment, and decision you evinced in the accomplishment of the end you had in view. The restoration of the oppressed to liberty, and a full refutation of the vile calumnies brought against our faith - both these great objects, by the aid of Gracious Providence, have been attained. The grateful thanksgivings of the liberated prisoners pronounce you their deliverer. The firman of the Sultan, denies these calumnies, of which they had been the unfortunate victims.

"It may be truly said of you, Sir, and of your amiable Lady - the companion of your anxieties and dangers - that your services were 'the labours of the heart,' works of all others most deserving of distinction and reward.

"May you ever be the 'harbinger of glad tidings to Zion,' and long live to continue your watchful care to all who need your solace and support. How will your suffering brethren in Jerusalem hail your late acts of munificence - the founding a dispensary for the poor of our community, now dwelling in the land of our fathers.

"In the name of the Jewish people we present to you this testimonial of your great and successful labours, with the hope that the blessing of our Heavenly Father may vouchsafe, to you and Lady Montefiore, many, many happy years to contemplate and enjoy it. - On behalf of the Committee.

"Hananel de Castro, Chairman" "27 Adar 5603 - 27th February 1843."

This centrepiece is a play on a statue in the centre of Livorno (Leghorn) Italy where Sir Moses Montefiore was born. On this silver version, biblical figures have replaced contemporary depiction of North African muslims shown on the original.

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