A Torah mantel is an important ritual object in Judaism which protects and decorates the Torah scrolls. The example shown here dates from the eighteenth century and was used in a synagogue in either Southern Germany, Austria or Switzerland. The upper portion of this Torah mantel shows lions carrying the Torah crown. The center image depicts the binding of Isaac, an Old Testament story in which Abraham was commanded by God  to sacrifice his son only to be stopped by a messenger from God at the last moment. Abraham then sacrifices an animal in Isaac’s place. Note the sacrificial animal (a ram) to the right of the altar, and the representation of the messenger from God above.