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Obj. ID: 19454
Sacred and Ritual Objects
  Hanukkah lamp, Tlemcen (?), circa 1900

© Gross Family Collection (GFC), Photographer: Bar Hama, Ardon, -

The following description was prepared by William Gross:

The festival of Chanukah is celebrated in the winter period around December and commemorates a Biblical story in which the Jews of the Land of Israel rebel against the Greek occupiers. They reclaim the desecrated Holy Temple in Jerusalem and, miraculously, the small amount of pure oil remaining is enough to keep the Temple light going for eight days. Lamps with eight burners are lit during this holiday, both in the synagogue and at home. Through the centuries, such lamps have taken a wide variety of forms.

This type of Chanukah menorah was long thought to be of Moroccan origin. It is related to Moroccan types by the repetitive arches, but recent research by the Israel Museum shows it to be from Algeria. Such models were probably produced in Tlemcen, close to the Moroccan border, which accounts for the strong Moroccan influence. The pointed arches and use of the hamsa motif are typical for the general area in North Africa. The use of the "hamsa" as a decorative motif is common in North Africa, but unusual in Chanukah lamps.

Summary and Remarks
Remarks

3 image(s)

sub-set tree:

Name/Title
Hanukkah lamp | Unknown
Object Detail
Monument Setting
Unknown
Date
circa 1900
Synagogue active dates
Reconstruction dates
Artist/ Maker
Unknown
Origin
Historical Origin
Unknown
Community type
Congregation
Location
Unknown |
Site
Unknown
School/Style
Unknown|
Period
Unknown
Period Detail
Collection
Documentation / Research project
Unknown
Iconographical Subject
Textual Content
Unknown |
Languages of inscription
Unknown
Shape / Form
Unknown
Material / Technique
Material Stucture
Material Decoration
Material Bonding
Material Inscription
Material Additions
Material Cloth
Material Lining
Tesserae Arrangement
Density
Colors
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Measurements
Height
23.5 cm
Length
Width
21.5 cm
Depth
Circumference
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Condition
Extant
Documented by CJA
Surveyed by CJA
Present Usage
Present Usage Details
Condition of Building Fabric
Architectural Significance type
Historical significance: Event/Period
Historical significance: Collective Memory/Folklore
Historical significance: Person
Architectural Significance: Style
Architectural Significance: Artistic Decoration
Urban significance
Significance Rating
0
Ornamentation
Custom
Contents
Codicology
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Pricking
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Hebrew Numeration
Blank Leaves
Direction/Location
Façade (main)
Endivances
Location of Torah Ark
Location of Apse
Location of Niche
Location of Reader's Desk
Location of Platform
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Arrangement of Seats
Location of Women's Section
Direction Prayer
Direction Toward Jerusalem
Coin
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Suggested Reconsdivuction
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Computer Reconstruction
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Negative/Photo. No.
The following information on this monument will be completed:
Unknown |