Tas (Torah breastplate)

This Torah breastplate, made in 1806, tells a lot. The master's mark FLT refers to Franz Lorenz Turinsky, from whose hand several silver objects can be found in the collections of the Jewish Museum. The hallmark indicates the year of origin, 1806. In 1804, the Roman-German Emperor Franz II had proclaimed the Austrian Empire as Franz I. In this way the Austrian Jews expressed their loyalty to the newly founded emperorship. The imperial crown with double-headed eagle decorated with foliage testified to their patriotism. With a height of 37, a width of 30 cm and a weight of 3 kg, it demonstrates a strong religious, but above all representative self-confidence.