Hanukkah lamp. [Poland, 19th century].
Brass, cast and engraved.
Large, heavy, openwork Hanukkah lamp, with back plate reminiscent of synagogue façade. Back plate adorned with brick-like pattern. It includes openings that represent a doorway; above it, a small, oval window; on either side, taller windows, and between these, a pair of architectonic columns supporting a balcony; above the balcony, a row of arched windows, and above these, an inclined tiled roof with two chimneys and windows of its own; surmounting the roof is a leafy, vegetal crown-like ornament flanked and supported on either side by a pair of tall birds.
The two side panels are shaped like a pair of rampant lions, each supporting, on the tip of its lifted tail, a candle socket; there are slight differences in the design of the two side panels. At the front of the lamp is a railing, fastened to the lamp by means of horizontal bird-shaped screws.
For comparison, see: Mordechai Narkiss, The Hanukkah Lamp, Bnei Bezalel, Jerusalem, 1939 (Hebrew with English summary), p. 41, Item No. 88; and Chaya Benjamin (ed. and curator), The Stieglitz Collection: Masterpieces of Jewish Art, exhibition catalogue, The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, 1987 (Hebrew and English), Item No. 154.
Height: 33.5 cm. Maximal width: 34 cm. Maximal depth: 15.5 cm. Overall good condition. Several pieces possibly missing from one side panel. Several fractures and old soldering repairs.
