Russian Metal Artworks

Hanukiyah

    Hanukiyah

    Russia, Warsaw

    1899-1904

    Silversmiths master B.Shkarlat

    Silver; chasing, presswork

    27.5 х 26.3 х 6.5 cm

    Marks: "Б.ШКАРЛАТЪ in Cyrillic, certificate and tee of Warsaw District Assay administration 1899-1908 with silver alloy "84"

    further...

    Silver Hanukiyah in a form of a desktop lamp and candles holder for eight lights, on four feet. Standing in a row of eight lamps, put on a rectangular base with the shaped rear wall manufactured also as light reflector. The wall is decorated with relief images of vases with fruit (in the middle), a pair of heraldic lions (on the lateral sides), birds and floral ornaments. The composition is crowned by the so-called "Keter Torah" or "Torah Crown", which is the mandatory element of the Torah decoration. Two additional candlesticks - "Shamash", which could be used for lighting Shabbat candles separately from celebration of Hanukah, are attached to the top of the wall. The decoration of Hanukiyah - a ritual lamp which is lighted during one of the most revered holidays - Hanukkah, along with Purim and Pesach, reminds us of the key moments in Jewish history. The decorative components are based on the sacred texts, in particular, on the phrase from the Tractate Avot ("Ethics of the Fathers"): "Be brave, as a tiger, light as an eagle, swift as a deer, and powerful, as a lion, accomplishing the will of your father in the heaven" (Mishnah, Tractate Avot 5:20).

    Images of those animals are the most common motives of decoration of folk art and crafts. Moreover, floral ornaments, symbols of the Jerusalem Temple and the images of holy places of the Earth of Israel are commonly used as well.

    minimize...

    Инв.753/ДПИ