Before Restoration: Missing inlay, glue residue, and incorrect copper braid.
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Final Result: Restored disc with new inlay and correctly braided copper band.
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Portfolio Feature: Antique Torah - Reconstruction of a Mother-of-Pearl Inlay and Copper Braid
Client: The Leffell School (formerly Solomon Schechter School of Westchester)
Item: Upper disc of Etz Chaim from a Torah Scroll
Origin: Poland, pre-WWII; provenance through The Leffell School, Westchester County, NY
Dimensions:
Medium: Wood, mother-of-pearl, copper braid, adhesive residues
Item: Upper disc of Etz Chaim from a Torah Scroll
Origin: Poland, pre-WWII; provenance through The Leffell School, Westchester County, NY
Dimensions:
Medium: Wood, mother-of-pearl, copper braid, adhesive residues
Background
A Torah scroll of Polish origin, now housed at The Leffell School in Westchester, arrived with significant structural and aesthetic damage to one of its Etz Chaim rollers — particularly the upper disc, which once featured an inlaid crown motif in mother-of-pearl and a surrounding copper braid.
The inlay had been missing, and earlier repair attempts had left behind incompatible glues layered inside the inlay pocket. In addition, another original decorative element, a braided copper wire that was initially nested flush within the surface, was missing and was replaced with a thicker and poorly braided replacement that eventually unraveled and detached. In addition, the surface had been coated with a yellowing polyurethane-like finish, dulling the luster of the remaining mother-of-pearl decorations.
Restoration Goals
Process Overview
Initial Condition
Outcome
The restored upper disc now presents a harmonious and dignified appearance. The new inlay blends with the surviving shell decorations and brings visual balance back to the Etz Chaim. The properly braided and chased copper band restores not only the structural coherence but also the symbolic and ceremonial richness of the scroll. This restoration honors the memory of the original craftsperson and allows the Torah to continue its life in a vibrant educational community.
Photos and Captions:
A Torah scroll of Polish origin, now housed at The Leffell School in Westchester, arrived with significant structural and aesthetic damage to one of its Etz Chaim rollers — particularly the upper disc, which once featured an inlaid crown motif in mother-of-pearl and a surrounding copper braid.
The inlay had been missing, and earlier repair attempts had left behind incompatible glues layered inside the inlay pocket. In addition, another original decorative element, a braided copper wire that was initially nested flush within the surface, was missing and was replaced with a thicker and poorly braided replacement that eventually unraveled and detached. In addition, the surface had been coated with a yellowing polyurethane-like finish, dulling the luster of the remaining mother-of-pearl decorations.
Restoration Goals
- Reconstruct the missing crown-shaped mother-of-pearl inlay
- Replace the incorrect copper braid with an authentic braided and chased version
- Remove non-original adhesive layers and clean the inlay recess
- Restore the sheen of original mother-of-pearl inlays
- Maintain aesthetic and historical integrity of the original craft
Process Overview
Initial Condition
- Missing mother-of-pearl crown inlay
- Heavy adhesive buildup in the inlay recess
- Damaged and incorrectly substituted copper braid
- Surface obscured by yellowing finish
- Used fine rotary tools (similar to dental handpieces) to remove old adhesive residues
- Preserved the shape and integrity of the original inlay pocket
- Created a mold of the recess using epoxy putty
- Shaped the mold to serve as a template for cutting the new inlay
- Transferred the outline to a blank of mother-of-pearl
- Cut and refined the inlay using a jeweler’s saw, diamond abrasives, and polishing tools
- Studied the motifs from other mother-of-pearl inlays on the damaged disc and the other disc
- Noted their folk or provincial quality — individually carved and slightly asymmetric
- Replicated these engravings using a high-speed rotary tool with a carbide carving bit
- Engraved narrow decorative grooves consistent with the style of the original artisan
- Recessed and installed the finished inlay using a carefully selected adhesive
- Braided fine-gauge copper wire into a double strand
- Chased the braid with hand tools to replicate the original twisted texture
- Cleaned and re-cut the channel around the disc’s perimeter
- Pressed and adhered the braid into the groove with carefully selected adhesive
- Used polishing tools to carefully remove the yellowed polyurethane coating from surrounding inlays
- Revived the cool white and iridescent tones of the mother-of-pearl surface
Outcome
The restored upper disc now presents a harmonious and dignified appearance. The new inlay blends with the surviving shell decorations and brings visual balance back to the Etz Chaim. The properly braided and chased copper band restores not only the structural coherence but also the symbolic and ceremonial richness of the scroll. This restoration honors the memory of the original craftsperson and allows the Torah to continue its life in a vibrant educational community.
Photos and Captions:
- Before Restoration: Missing inlay, glue residue, and incorrect copper braid.
- Inlay Recess Cleaning: Rotary tool in use to excavate old adhesives.
- Template Making: Epoxy mold used as a template for a mother-of-pearl crown.
- Inlay Shaping: Blank material traced, cut, and shaped using jeweler’s tools.
- Engraving Process: Crown engraving detail with rotary carving tip.
- Copper Braid Reconstruction: Twisting and chasing copper for authenticity.
- Surface Polish: Cleaning yellowed finish to reveal inlay luster.
- Final Result: Restored disc with new inlay and correctly braided copper band.
