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Description
This Jewish ritual object, a Torah pointer, marked “Myers” was doubly desirable item to collectors of early American silver for its perceived maker and form. Closer examination reveals modern threading on the screw that connects the poor-quality (cast) pointing hand with the (wrought) shaft. The handle is ornamented with fresh, almost unpolished, decorative engraving and the silver color is a bit whiter due to the higher purity. This fraudulent item was fabricated of modern silver under the direction of an early twentieth-century antiques dealer in Philadelphia. He sold as an undiscovered rarity of colonial Judaica to a longtime client who trusted his expertise.