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| The Victoria & Albert Museum |
Since Hanukkah begins on December 20, I thought today we’d take a look at some art and objects associated with the Festival of Lights. Let’s begin with this brass Hanukkah lamp. Cast with cut-out work, the lamp features a back-plate which is shaped like a synagogue with a gallery backed by a Moorish arcade. Above this arcade and gallery is a roof with gable windows and two stylized peacocks which serve as support for a vase.
The lamp's footed side panels are formed in the shape of a lion rampant with a candle socket and grease pan screwed to the end of its tail. These serve as a shammash (servitor light) or Sabbath candle holder. The front of the lamp is pierced with a fretted pattern through which protrude the nozzles of the eight lamps—one for each night of Hanukkah. This could serve in addition to or in place of a Menorah. Each lamp would be illuminated on one night of Hanukkah until, at the end of the festival, all eight lamps would be glowing. It was made circa 1800.
3 comments:
I'm sooooooo glad you did this. No one shows the Hanukkah stuff, ya know. Thanx! Luv ya, kid!!!!!!
This is the sort of thing I love. I love to learn about other times, traditions, cultures, religions. So many people fear diversity, but I live for it. That's why we love Joseph, Fran, for giving us a break from the commonplace and showing us what really matters to all kinds of people.
Thank you very much, Fran and Matt!
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