MAKER'S MARK DD, ALSO STRUCK ON REVERSE ER AND STRUCK WITH TOWN MARK OF PESARO (CROSSED KEYS WITH A CONICAL HAT BETWEEN AND A EAGLE WITH WINGS OUTSTRECHED ABOVE), INSCRIPTION DATED IN HEBREW 1782

In Italian Jewish communities, the key to a Torah Ark is not merely a
functional, utilitarian object. Rather, it is a ceremonial object which is passed between the hands of the gabbai (a synagogue official) and the hands of those who have received the honor of opening and closing the Torah Ark during the service. This custom, which imbues the Italian Torah Ark key with special liturgical status, is unknown among communities outside of Italy.
Torah Ark keys from the 18th century are extremely rare, and are not
listed among the published holdings of most Jewish Museums.

Literature:
Permanent Exhibition of the Jewish Community of Rome, catalogue, no place of publication, no date, p. 22, no. 138-141.
The Museum of Jewish Art in Venice, catalogue of the Exhibits in the Museum of Jewish Art, in: The Ghetto of Venice by Roberta Curiel, London and Venice, 1990, p. 160, nos 144-146.
Cultura Ebraica in Emilia-Romagna, Luise Editore, Rimini, 1987, p.213-216.
Attilio Milano, II Ghetto di Roma, Roma 1964, p.426 (for the family name "Montebarocci")

See illustration