A CROWN FIT FOR A KING
A reproduction of a 15th-century Torah crown from Arles, France, is on view at the Yeshiva University Museum. Bernard Bernstein, a silversmith from New York who reproduced the crown, first became interested in the crown in 1963, after stumbling upon the catalog of the 1878 “Exposition Universelle” (“World Exhibition”) in Paris, which made reference to a 1439 contract commissioning the crown’s creation by a Christian silversmith from Avignon named Robin Asard — a reflection of the familiar ties between Christians and Jews at the time. The crown was said to have six towers, one at each corner. The city of Arles, which had been fortified by six towers to defend itself against invaders from the north, may have been the inspiration for this design. Bernstein utilized cardboard, copper foil, polymer clay, silver chains, square silver wire, and gold and silver paint to make the reproduction.
Yeshiva University Museum, Center for Jewish History, 15 W. 16th St.; Aug.12-Jan. 30, Tue., Wed., Thu., Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; $6, $4 students and seniors, free members and children under 5. (212-294-8330 or www.yumuseum.org)
A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.
Now more than ever, American Jews need independent news they can trust, with reporting driven by truth, not ideology. We serve you, not any ideological agenda.
At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and the protests on college campuses.
Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
