Wood and Stucco Holy Ark (Aron Kodesh) from the Ottoman Empire

Cabinet housing the Torah scrolls on the eastern or southern wall of Ottoman Sephardi synagogues. Often treated as an architectural niche, with a horseshoe arch, carved stucco decoration, painting and gilding, in the shared Islamic ornamental taste. Closed by an ark curtain and doors, it forms the sacred focus toward which the congregation turns to pray.