Rimmonim (Torah finial) (one of a pair) c. early 20th century

This silver Torah finial—or rimmonim—at the Minneapolis Institute of Art is a delicate dance of decoration. Imagine the artist carefully cutting away at the metal, letting the light pour through the floral and geometric shapes. I love the bells, they look like they are about to sing. It makes me wonder what the artist was thinking as they shaped the metal into this ornate sculpture. Maybe they felt a connection to generations of artisans, each adding their voice to a long, ongoing tradition. The metalwork is like lace in some places. Each shape must have been so tricky to work. It’s so intricate that you can imagine it being a conversation between the maker, the material, and the culture in which they lived. And like all conversations, it's ongoing. Each artist builds upon the ideas of those who came before, resulting in an object that is both beautiful and meaningful. It's a reminder that art is never created in a vacuum.