Embroidered Velvet Ark Curtain (Parokhet) from Germany

Ark curtain of the Ashkenazi synagogues of Germany, often made as a pair with its valance (kapporet). On velvet, metallic embroidery and appliqué depict the two Temple columns, the Torah crown and the Tablets of the Law around a dated dedicatory cartouche. Many examples are made from precious domestic fabrics donated to the synagogue.