Obj. ID: 37406 Hanukkah lamp, Algeria, circa 1800
sub-set tree:
H | Heraldic composition | Supporters | Two birds
O | Ornamentation: | Foliate and floral ornaments | Floral motif
F | Flower
H | Heraldic composition | Supporters | Two deer
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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, perhaps more than any other, represents this object from Algeria. The half-round back with birds make this highly representative of the area. This model is known in several variations, of which this would appear to be among the oldest, featuring lions as well as birds and carrying a Hebrew inscription with name of the person for whom it was made. Its large dimensions and considerable weight would add to the conclusion that this well might be the oldest recorded cast brass Chanukah lamp from North Africa... Made for Yeshua' Zarka. Inscription: Ki Ner Mitzvah.....