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)
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