Torah Finial

Pieter van Hoven

1717

Finial with Hebrew inscription on its base, bells, and crown on top.
This belled gilt-silver Torah finial topped with a crown was made in Amsterdam and has been attributed to master silversmith Pieter van Hoven, who lived near the Jewish quarter and is best known for the Jewish ceremonial objects he crafted. Active from 1680 to 1735, van Hoven created similar finials, Torah crowns, and pointers. His Jewish ceremonial objects are held in various Jewish museums and in private collections.

Credits

Collection Jewish Historical Museum, Amsterdam, M000111.

Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 5.

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Creator Bio

Pieter van Hoven

1653–1735

Silversmith Pieter van Hoven was born in Amsterdam, in the Netherlands. He produced many ceremonial objects for the Jewish community of Amsterdam in the early eighteenth century.

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