Torah scrolls among Ashkenazi Jews are covered in ceremonial textile wrappings when they are not being used. Among Sephardi Jews, the Torah scroll is both housed in and read from a container of silver or wood. This Torah mantle, now frayed from use, is made of crimson velvet, fringed on the top. Both sides of the mantle are embroidered in a raised pattern created with silver gilt thread. One side is decorated with a flower–filled vase flanked by two lions and several birds within a large frame. The other side is decorated with an embroidered frame containing a large flower-filled vase.