Bidspirit | автомобильный аукцион Rare Important Bohemian Brass Hanukkah | 8/11/2017 PASAREL

Rare Important Bohemian Brass Hanukkah Lamp Menorah, Prague, Late 18th Century. - Rare Important Bohemian Brass Hanukkah Lamp Menorah, Prague, Late 18th Century, Judaica. At center of openwork backplate, a medallion framed by wreath with loop at top, surmounted by Star of David and closing a hat. Two similar symbols on backplate, which is decorated with latticework, flowers, rocailles and foliate wreaths. Right side panel with image of Moses, left with Aaron, both panels with feet supporting lamp and spanned by raw of oil fonts. The latticework backplate is in the Rococo ironwork style, found particularly in Austrian and Bohemian gate decorations. The Star of David with the Swedish hat in the center, which appears in three places on the backplate was the symbol of Prague Jewry, as decreed by Emperor Ferdinand II of Austria in the mid 17th century in gratitude to the Jewish community for its aid in defending the city from a Swedish onslaught. Each side panel is worked on both sides, the front of the figures facing the oil font: Moses, rays of light beaming from his head, with the Tablets of the law in his right hand and his left hand outstretched; and Aaron in the high Priest's raiment, with breastplate and headdress resembling bishop's mitre. In his left hand are incense utensils, and in his raised right hand, circlet for servant light (later replacement). The gestures of the figures recall those on the medallion depicting the three faiths: catholic protestant and Jewish, who raised their hand in oath, under the symbolic Austro-Hungarian eagle. The Hanukkah lamp may also have been designated to commemorate the granting of civil rights. Height: 18.5cm. Length: 26.5cm. For a similar Menorah see Christie's - ”Judaica, Silver, Russian works of art and object vertu”, sale #2503, Amsterdam, 15th May 2001, lot #362 (see attached image). For a similar Menorah see the Stieglitz collection - ”Masterpieces of Jewish Art” Chaya Benjamin, The Israel Museum Jerusalem, 1987, page 214-215 (see attached image).