Hanukkah Lamp - Poland
Poland; Late 19th century, early 20th century
Brass, cast and cut
Height: 16 cm Width: 15 cm Depth: 6.5 cm Weight: 332 g
Hanukkah Lamp - Poland
ADDITIONAL INFO
A beautiful bench-form Hanukkah lamp, supported on three curved legs. Openwork backplate with a Shamash (the servant light) and a Star of David at the lamp's top. At the bottom, a curved row of eight candle holders.
The design and decoration of Hanukkah lamps are very diversified. Unhampered by scriptural restrictions, the Hanukkah lamp has pursued an independent course in its development, absorbing art concepts from its immediate environment. The patterns for Polish cast brass Hanukkah lamps were prepared by Jewish artists, who also decorated synagogues, made papercuts for Shavuot, and illustrated manuscripts and Esther Scrolls. Various patterns were based on scriptural texts and bore the imprint of local art styles and the artist's imagination.
The precise provenance of the Polish lamps is difficult to ascertain, due to the wanderings of the Jews in search of hard-earned livelihood, and the political upheavals which mark the country's history.
* The price of this item includes shipping, handling, and insurance.