A Pair of Dutch Parcel-Gilt Silver Torah Finials Nicholas Van Diemen Amsterdam 1762

The staves are engraved "Judah son of Samuel Siegal in the holy community of Niedewaren". This probably refers to Niedewerrn, a community in Germany north of Wurzburg. There was a synagogue there before 1786, when the existing building was replaced by a new one at 23 Schweinfurter Strasse.

Nicholas van Diemen became master in 1752; he was a specialist in religious silver, both Christian and Jewish.

Reprinted from the 2020 Important Judaica Soethebys Auction.