Not currently on display at the V&A

Hanukkah Lamp

1550-1650 (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Italy (made)

Hanukkah is the Jewish Festival of Lights. It celebrates the victory of Judas Maccabeus over the Syrian king Antiochus Epiphanes and the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in 165 BC. This winter festival lasts eight days and an extra flame is lit for each night of the festival.


Object details

Categories
Judaism
Metalwork
Object type
Hanukkah lamp
Materials and techniques
Brass, cast
Brass
Casting
Brief description
Hanukkah lamp, brass, Italy, 1550-1650
Physical description
Brass Hanukkah lamp. The back plate is of openwork formed by two winged figures (seraphim?) holding vases and blowing trumpets, and backed by a vase shaped pediment upon which stands the figure of Judith holding a sword in her right hand. A shammash (servitor lamp) projects beneath the horn of the trumpet on the left hand side. There is a suspension ring attached to the back of the lamp, behind the shoulders of the Judith figure. The base is formed of an eight lamp tray, all cast in one piece.
Dimensions
  • Height: 20cm
  • Width: 23cm
Credit line
Bequeathed by Miss Estella Canziani
Object history
Bequeathed by Miss Estella Canziani
Subjects depicted
Vase
Trumpets
Pediment
Sword
Judith
Summary
Hanukkah is the Jewish Festival of Lights. It celebrates the victory of Judas Maccabeus over the Syrian king Antiochus Epiphanes and the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in 165 BC. This winter festival lasts eight days and an extra flame is lit for each night of the festival.
Collection
Metalwork Collection
Accession number
M.28-1965

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O325476/hanukkah-lamp-unknown/
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