Brass Hanukkah lamp. Polish: late 18th or early 19th century. The rack is made of plates held together by bolts and wing nuts. They are pierced with a pattern of circles, semi -circles and (on the backplate) a vase of flowers with two birds as supporters. There are four terminals in the form of conventionalised serpent heads. Each end-plate has two feet and a branched shamash (servitor lamp) candle holder, both of which have a socket and grease pan. Screwed to the bottom are eight tubular lamps or candle holders. The backplate curves up in the centre to terminate in a suspension ring, enabling the lamp to be hung on a wall as well as to be freestanding.

Dr W.L. Hildburgh Bequest

Obtained in Salsburg in 1911. Said to be from a synagogue at Bokaima, in Galicia, where it had been one of a pair. (ref. Michael Keen's book, pg 45)

ex-Hildburgh loan 4935

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.

M.412:1-1956