This bold, austere Torah shield is sterling silver and then gold-washed (gilt). It has a set of English hallmarks on the bottom of the front of the shield. There is a very long dedication for who this Torah shield was donated to the synagogue in memory of, the Hebrew engraving was expertly done by the same person who engraved the Ten Commandments. It is a very "restrained" design, as opposed to the American Torah shields of this era.

Dated, 1929.


Maker Moses & Morris Salkind of London, 1929. Dedication also dated 1929.

Each piece is hallmarked with English silver marks, chain link is also partly hallmarked. 


Donated by the brothers Gabriel & Kalman Smith in memory of their parents David the son of Moshe & Sarah Gittel daughter of Yitzchok Eizik.


Sura Gitel and David Zmidek immigrated to England from Chmielnik in Poland in 1903, and changed the family name to Smith. They had five children: Perla (Polly), Hinda (Annie), Mirla (Mary), Gabryl (Gabriel) and Kalman Josek (Colman). 


David was a Member of the Greenfield Street Synagogue & this shield was probably donated to that Synagogue in their memory. 


He passed in 1908 and is buried in the Edmonton cemetery.

She passed in 1929 and is buried in the Edmonton cemetery as well.


Weight 734.4 grams, Size  28×22 cm

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Lot #305

A Gilded Silver Torah Shield, London 1929

Start price: $700

Sales Tax: On the lot's price and buyer's premium

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