Large and magnificent silver Menorah. Alt Wein, circa 1850
An unusually large and beautiful menorah, measuring over a half-meter tall. The menorah is styled after the original vessel in the Beis Hamikdash with cups and flowers and enhanced with five cast lions.
The menorah is one of the deepest and most meaningful icons that link the Jewish people to the Beis Hamikdash and our national history. Jews throughout the ages did their utmost to light the Chanukah candles in an attractive setting, in order to enhance the fulfillment of the mitzvah. The primary use, of course, is the mitzvah of lighting candles on Chanukah, yet like many menorahs, it also served as a central ornament in the traditional Jewish home.
Description: Classic to Alt Wein silver art, this large silver menorah boasts a substantial dome-shaped base with a ballet pattern of roses. Above the base is a flattened sphere also decorated with roses, and above the sphere are four cast lions, set on a floral base resembling an open flower. A silver bell hangs between the lions. The stem rising to the top of the menorah is carved with elegant adornments, including cups, knobs, and flowers reminiscent of the menorah in the Beis Hamikdash.
Four branches extend from both sides of the stem, each emerging from a knob resting inside a crown-like cup, with additional knobs set at intervals along each branch. The branches culminate in petals with an oil cup receptacle on top, and within each cup is a small ring for threading the wick. The shammash emerges from the main stem slightly lower than the rest of the oil cups, but otherwise resembles the other cups. The stem is topped by a knob and a cast lion finial.
The menorah is marked with a combined hallmark attesting to the country, year, and silver quality 13, as well as the maker’s mark, TD.
Good condition.
Size: Height: 53 cm. Width: 39 cm.
Provenance: Yechezkel Toporowitch Collection
“Regarding the candles that one should light… One who can afford it
should [light them] in silver…as this demonstrates love of the mitzvah and the joy he feels, which is the essence of this service.” (Seder Hayom by Rabbi Moshe ben Machir, Venice, 1599)
Alt Wien (Old Vienna)
This is a moniker for the national silver seal engraved on all silver items manufactured in Vienna, capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire prior to 1866. The majority of these items feature a distinct shape and structure and were fashioned of silver marked No.13 and dated by year. The number 13 represents 13 silver parts of 16, or 81.25 percent pure silver.
Alt Wein refers to a specific stamp labeling all silver items crafted between the years of 1807-1866 with an identical mark. The stamp features the number 13 in the center surrounded by a circle with the manufacturing year marked on either side of the circle in two columns. The letter “A” tops the circle.
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