Chanuka menorah, silver with hallmarks. Berlin, 1804-1815

Description: Nice backplate menorah. Repousse and chasing. Two marks. Blurred maker's mark.
Maximal height: 13.5 cm. Width: 12.5 cm. Thickness: 70 cm.
The front is engraved with rococo scrolls and shellwork. The body of the menorah is shaped like a rectangular box that is divided into eight compartments. Each compartment has a small, protruding tongue holding a small cylinder to support the wick. The compartments are covered by a hinged lid with floral engraving. The right side of the backplate bears a tall shamash, apparently not original. The Menorah stands on four triangular legs, decorated with leaves.

Background: This type of Menorah was designed according to the popular Frankfurt Menorahs of the 18th century. The different designs were created in workshops in Hanau, Franken and Schwaben, but their decorations and metalwork are more primitive than the ones created by the Frankfurt silversmiths.
Refer to the catalogue of the Jewish Museum London, item 239, for a similar item.

Condition: Very fine.

Finials. Silver, Morocco, 19th century.

Description: 280 mm. tall. 56 mm. diameter. Sections are gold plated.
Each finial is shaped like a hexagonal tower with Islamic styled windows covered with a colorful cloth. Topped by a crest surrounded by six silver strips shaped like leaves. Bells hang from the corners of the tower. Repousse work of flowers and leaves across the entire surface of the tower and base.

Background: Similar bells can be seen in the Stieglitz Collection: Masterpieces of Jewish Art, published by the Israel Museum, p. 46.

Condition: Very fine. Light dents.

Synagogue hall in a glass bottle. Spectacular, folksy work by Mrs. Helena Hoffman, in memory of her husband. Rakasdia, 1888.

Unique features: This spectacular exhibit was handmade with intricate, delicate work and includes the smallest details - in the images of Moses and Aaron as well as the synagogue hall. Most of the details were made outside of the bottle and then inserted and positioned correctly through a rounded opening with a diameter of about 60 mm. This work demands both expertise and a light hand. When the work was finished, the opening was closed with a glass bottleneck and wood cork that cannot be opened. This work was made by Helene Hoffman in memory of her husband and apparently donated to the synagogue.

Specifications: [1] glass bottle with wood cork that cannot be opened. 14.5 cm. long, 10 cm. wide, Height until the neck - 25 cm., height including the cork 36 cm.

At center is a four-columned bimah with a Torah Scroll, candelabra and candles on the bimah. Moses stands at the right holding the Luchot HaBrit in his left hand and his staff in his right. Aaron the High Priest stands to the left of the bimah, lifting his hands in the priestly blessing. A Holy Ark is in the back with a red parochet bearing the text סעפער תארא [Torah Scroll].

The upper front section has a decorated arch with the Yiddish text: מיט אנד אלט אים טמפל, and parallel, in the back near the Holy Ark, is the text גאטט זיי מיט אונת.

A large star of David with the year 5648 at its center is on a red background on the back of the bottle. A handwritten German dedication is on the bottom: "Dise(!) Kunstflasche/ ist verfertigt am/ 1sten Juni 1888 zur/ Erinnerung des/ l. M. Hoffman/ t. Gattin Helene/ Rakasdia." [This artistic bottle was created on the 1st of June, 1888, in memory of M. Hoffman, his wife Helene, Rakasdia.]

There is a note with a few words that have not been deciphered on the inside of the bottom of the bottle.

Condition: Other than aging stains and some dirt in the interior of the bottle, everything is in very fine condition.

Four spice towers. Silver, filigree. Eastern Europe, 18th-19th century.

* Lemberg, 18th century. Height: 180 mm.

* Poland? 19th century. Height: 140 mm.

* Poland/Vienna. End of the 19th century. Height: 200 mm.

* Zhitomir. 19th century. Height: 160 mm.

Condition: Overall fine condition.