Torah Pointer – Italy, 18th Century

Torah pointer. Livorno (?), Italy, [18th century].
Silver (unmarked), cast and repoussé; coral bead.
An exceptionally unique item, with no known equivalents.
Without the typical "hand" or fingers at tip. Spiraling handle, surmounted by large, ornate, crown-shaped openwork ornament. Crown consists of four slender leafy boughs, with additional leaflet-like ornaments in between them. Crown surmounts a hexagonal, three-tiered pedestal. Above this pedestal, enclosed by the large crown, is a smaller, flower-shaped crown. In the middle interior of the large crown and surmounting the inner floral crown is a column made of coral.
Length: 20 cm. Diameter of crown: 4 cm.