Hanukkah lamp. Tunisia (or Algeria), [19th century].
Brass, cast and punched; rivets.
Arched back plate, openwork, featuring eight horseshoe-arch gates, a vase with flowers, vegetal-style "windows," and two encircled stars. Back plate surmounted by additional encircled star, flanked by a pair of large birds on either side. Vegetal openwork side panels, surmounted by an additional pair of birds. Plain surface. Row of elongated rectangular oil fonts with pinched, pointed spouts for wicks. Servant light adorned with four projecting spikes.
According to Mordechai Narkiss (see below), the design of this type of Hanukkah lamp bears the influence of Algerian architecture of the Ottoman period, as well as Algerian Islamic art. Please refer also to next item.
Height: 23 cm. Width: 22 cm. Good condition. Minor soldering repairs.
References: North African Lights, item no. 119; The Hanukkah Lamp, pl. LV, item no. 155; Feuchtwanger Collection, item no. 384.
Purchased in Djerba.