Persian Miniature Torah Ark with Painted Doors. Hand-carved and painted miniature Torah ark, likely Persian, constructed of wood and retaining its original hinged double doors. The exterior is decorated with painted and gilt Jewish symbols, including Stars of David, menorah motifs, and Hebrew inscriptions, arranged symmetrically across the doors. Floral elements appear on the door panels, rendered in muted reds, greens, and ochres against a dark ground, showing extensive age-related wear.
When opened, the interior reveals a painted devotional scene depicting Moses holding the Tablets of the Law, executed in a naïve, folk-art style with warm earth tones and simple figural modeling. Hebrew text arcs above the figure, reinforcing the religious function of the piece. The architectural form is crowned by a shaped pediment featuring geometric and star motifs, echoing Islamic and Jewish decorative traditions common to Persian religious art.
The reverse consists of plain wooden planks with visible tool marks, paint residue, and surface wear consistent with age and use. Overall condition shows losses, flaking paint, abrasion, and patina throughout, all consistent with an early hand-crafted devotional object intended for domestic or small communal use rather than synagogue-scale display.
Estimated Value $200 - 300
Judaica
