Obj. ID: 35653  Besomim, Lemberg, circa 1800

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 particular form of spice tower is one of the most prevalent examples from the Jewish silversmiths of Galicia. There are examples of this type, with slight variations, in almost all major collections. With its multi-level tower and the elaborate base, the whole executed in fine filigree work, it is typical of the production from Galicia both before and just after 1800 by a number of Jewish silversmiths. This tower comes with a lion flag, a reflection of the actual large brass animal shaped flags that were used on building towers in the area prior to this time.