APPARENTLY UNMARKED PROBABLY GALICIA, CIRCA 1860

Details

A fine and rare silver Chanukkah lamp
Apparently unmarked probably Galicia, circa 1860
The arched rectangular backplate centred by raised shield inscribed in Hebrew: "to kindle the Chanukkah light, belonged to Zusia Riznek [made] from 'le-Hatslacha' coins", flanked by scrolling foliage and two rampant lions with protruding tongues, a deer below, topped by double-headed eagle, surmounted by a spread bird finial holding a bell, and flanked by two one handled vases with flowers, integral sidepanels, the front fitted by a row of eight jug form oil receptacles, set in a gallery, the sides fitted with two matching scrolled candleholders as servant lights, the whole set on six strap supports
17cm. high
378gr.

Special Notice

Christie's charges a Buyer's premium calculated at 20.825% of the hammer price for each lot with a value up to €90,000 (NLG 198.334). If the hammer price of a lot exceeds €90,000 then the hammer price of a lot is calculated at 20.825% of the first €90,000 plus 11.9% of any amount in excess of €90,000. Buyer's Premium is calculated on this basis for each lot individually.

Sale Room Notice

Please note that this lot is below legal alloy

Lot Essay

The contemporary engraved Hebrew inscription attested that this lamp was made from melted down silver coins named "shmirah" or "Hatslachah". Such coins were blessed and presented by Chassidic Rabbis to their followers for good luck (Hatslachah), as a safeguard against evil (Shmirah) and to insure health and prosperity.

For other objects made from such melted-down coins see:
Fishof, Iris., From the Secular to the Sacred, The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, 1985, pp. 64-66, nos.: 39-43
Shachar, Isaiah., The Jewish Tradition in Art, The Feuchtwanger Collection of Judaism, The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, p.307, nos.: 1021-1024
Golnisky, Heschel., Sefer Ze'evi (ed. Y. Ziegelman), Haifa, 1966, pp.119ff

See illustration