© Sotheby’s Picture Library
Currently not on view
Rimmonim (Torah finials),
1783–4
Hester Bateman, 1709–1794; born and died London, England
2024-45 a-b
Information
Title
Rimmonim (Torah finials)
Dates
1783–4
Maker
Medium
Silver, repoussé, cast, and engraved
Dimensions
(a) h. 39.5 × diam. 15.6 cm (15 9/16 × 6 1/8 in.)
(b) h. 41 × diam. 16 cm (16 1/8 × 6 5/16 in.)
Credit Line
Museum purchase, Surdna Fund
Object Number
2024-45 a-b
Place Made
Europe, United Kingdom, London
Inscription
Finial 1:
אלו שני הרמונים עץ חיים למחזיקים
המתנדבים והמנדרים מכל הקהל חדש
לבהכ חדשה ב דניאלז רא פארטשמייט
These two finials are a tree of life for those that hold fast to them,
donated and pledged by the entire new congregation
to the new synagogue (abbreviated בהכ) in Daniel's Row, Portsmouth Common
Finial 2:
אפריון עשה לו המלך [נ]שלמה
בשנה תקמה לפק
King Solomon made him[self] a palanquin [Song of Songs 3:9]
Marks/Labels/Seals
marked by Thomas Evans & Jacob Levi, London
Culture
Type
Subject
1783 Passed from Hester Bateman workshop (London) to the New Synagogue (Daniel’s Row, Portsmouth), probably through Reb Leib Aleph
1789 Passed to the Old Synagogue (Queen Street and White’s Row, Portsmouth)
1936 Moved to the new building of the Congregation (Thicket House, Southsea)
By descent with the Portsmouth and Southsea Congregation to the present
December 2023 by purchase (Sotheby’s, Private Sale) Princeton University Art Museum
1789 Passed to the Old Synagogue (Queen Street and White’s Row, Portsmouth)
1936 Moved to the new building of the Congregation (Thicket House, Southsea)
By descent with the Portsmouth and Southsea Congregation to the present
December 2023 by purchase (Sotheby’s, Private Sale) Princeton University Art Museum
