Objects

The Torah shield (Hebrew: tas) is one of the decorations placed on the Torah scroll, clothed in the so-called mantle (Hebrew: meil).

The tas from the collections of the Vistula Museum in Kazimierz Dolny has the form of a rectangular shield with an arch at the top. The edges are decorated with a "string" and a lace with simplified rocaille motifs. In the lower part, in the middle, there is an image of the aron kodesh (holy chest in which the Torah scrolls are kept in the synagogue) in the form of a double-leaf gate made using the filigree technique, with a semicircle at the top, there is a red agate plate with gilded Hebrew inscriptions behind it. The cabinet is flanked by two columns supporting a balcony with a deer figure. Above it, there is a large four-bow crown supported by two repoussed lions standing on cornice sections. On both sides of the aron kodesh, there are large repoussed simplified rocaille motifs and filigree rosettes. There is chain attached to the upper part, used to hung the tas.