Torah mantle
About 1675
The mantle covers the Torah scroll, the most sacred object in the Jewish faith. It sits within the Holy Ark, which is the focal point of the synagogue. This mantle was probably made for the Portuguese synagogue in Amsterdam, then the largest in Europe. The Holy Ark can be seen in the central medallion, surmounted by the Crown of the Law.
Dutch Republic, now the Netherlands (Amsterdam)
Silk velvet and brocaded silk, embroidered and trimmed with metal thread
Supported by the American Friends of the V&A through the generosity of The David Berg Foundation, New York [09.12.2015]