Obj. ID: 39164
Sacred and Ritual Objects Besomim, Vilna, 1867
The following description was prepared by William Gross:
In Jewish tradition the end of the Sabbath and other Jewish Holidays is marked by the ceremony of Havdalah (Separation) that differentiates between the Holy nature of the holdiay and the profane nature of the following day. This ritual is accomplished by lighting a special candle with several wicks, drinking wine from a cup and the inhalation of the sweet smell of spices. In the Ashkenazi world these spices were usually held in a container which was often shaped in varying forms.
This example of a tower form spice container is one of a small family of such objects produced in Vilna, primarily by Jewish silversmiths. The earliest of them dates to the first twenty years of the 19th century with the rest date to the next 50 years. This form was a local custom and seen only in Lithuania. Inscription: Blessings for Havdalah for wine, spices and light.