Hanukkah lamp. [Poland, 19th century or earlier].

Brass, cast and engraved.

A large and heavy Hanukkah lamp, designed in the form of a synagogue facade. The back plate is adorned with brick-like patterns and features architectural openings representing a door with a transom above, flanked by windows and columns supporting a balcony. Above the balcony is a row of arched windows topped by a sloped tiled roof with two chimneys, on which perch two birds supporting a vase. The side panels are shaped as upright lions, each holding a candle holder on the tip of its tail. The lamp stands on four legs shaped as entwined branches. A grille is affixed in front of the oil fonts and at the base of the side and rear panels, secured to the lamp with bird-shaped screws.

Height: 30 cm. Maximum width: 31.5 cm. Maximum depth: 16.5 cm. Good overall condition.

For comparison, see: Mordechai Narkiss, The Hanukkah Lamp, 1939, p. 41, no. 88; the Stieglitz Collection, Israel Museum, no. 154.

Hanukkah lamp. [Presumably Poland, 1920s-1930s].

Silver, cast, repoussé and stamped (marked with Polish fineness marks, in use from 1920).

A unique Hanukkah lamp, featuring a large peacock with a fanned tail, positioned behind a row of urn-shaped oil fonts. The peacock and fonts are set on a base with a scalloped front, supported by four legs.

Peacock ornaments appeared on Austro-Hungarian Hanukkah lamps from the 19th century, in several design variations. In most examples, the peacock is set within an architectural framework; in contrast, the present model – with the set peacock as a freestanding element – is far rarer. An identical lamp is preserved in the collection of the Jewish Museum in Prague (JMP 009.802), Vienna, 1860-1866. Other known lamps of this type were also produced in Vienna. Based on its silver marks, the present lamp is attributed to Poland.

Height: 21.5 cm. Width: 34 cm, depth: approx. 11 cm. Good condition. servant light missing.

Hanukkah lamp. Germany, possibly Hanau, [early 20th century].

Silver, stamped, repoussé, and engraved (marked with German marks: “800”, crown and crescent moon, maker’s mark [apparently from Hanau]; and with later Israeli tax mark, in use beginning 1950).

Tall, erect Hanukkah lamp, bearing vegetal and geometric patterns. With angular branches with square candle sockets at their ends. Supported on broad hexagonal base resting on six small, flattened spherical legs. Removable servant light, positioned in close proximity to upper end of central shaft.

Height: 53.5 cm. Width at base: 20 cm. Maximal width: 39 cm. Overall good condition. Minor blemishes; several slightly loose joints.

For comparison, see: Sotheby’s, Tel Aviv, 15 April, 1998, Lot 303.

Hanukkah lamp. [Morocco, presumably Essaouira (Mogador), early 20th century].

Silver, cut, pierced and engraved; chased (marked with Moroccan fineness marks, presumably Mogador, pre-1925).

Backplate in form of pointed arch, finely pierced in symmetrical vegetal and geometric patterns and featuring a pair of birds. Side panels decorated to match, mounted through designated slot. Row of oil fonts and servant light attached with screws and nuts. Hinged oil tray.

Height: 32 cm. Width: 20.5 cm. Depth: 6 cm. Overall good condition. Two screws and nuts missing. Some joints slightly loose. A modern velvet paper sheet affixed to the reverse of the backplate.

Hanukkah lamp. [Tétouan (Morocco), 19th century].

Brass sheet, pierced, cut and engraved; cast brass; rivets.

Backplate shaped as an undulating arch, centered with an image of a seven-branched menorah. Above the menorah appear engraved verses, and a floral motif, with a square opening at its center for the servant light (now missing).

A cast row of eight pinched oil fonts is affixed to the backplate, floating above a drip tray. A hanging loop with suspension ring is mounted at the top of the backplate. No side panels.

Height: 31 cm. Width: 25.5 cm. Depth: 8.5 cm. Overall good-fair condition. Minor breaks. One branch of the menorah partially missing. Old soldering repairs. Servant light and side panels missing. Drip tray soldered in place and partially detached.

For comparison, see: Chaya Benjamin, North African Lights, Hanukkah Lamps from the Zeyde Shculmann Collection in the Israel Museum, Jerusalem (2002), pp. 34-35.