Hanukkah lamp. [Jerusalem, 19th century].
Punched and repouseé brass sheet.
Four repouseé floral decorations (rosettes) appear on the back-plate, surrounded by a wavy line and dots. The Shamash is attached in the center of the back-plate (folding). Two metal chains - on the left and right side of the Shamash are attached to a protruding semi-circle with eight pierced circles for holding glass vessels.
An important example of early Eretz Israeli folding Hanukkah Lamps which were used by rabbinical emissaries during their travels.
Height: 29.5 cm, length: 29.5 cm, width: 37 cm. Fair condition. Breaks and cracks, old repairs. Corrosion. Whitewash stains. Seven glass vessels.
Literature:
1. Narkiss, "Menorat HaHanukkah", p. 69, plate LVII, item 162.
2. "Menorat HaShadar shel 'Mekubalei Beit El'", in: Omanut Ve-Umanut Be'Eretz Israel Ba-Mea Ha-Tesha Esreh [Arts and Crafts in Eretz Israel in the 19th century (Hebrew)], The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, 1979, pp. 34-37 (plate 15).
3. Kostbarkeiten aus dem Heiligen Land (The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, 1996), p. 27.