Berlin Silver Menorah, circa 1760
A fully-marked silver Chanukah menorah. The quality mark 13 appears within a square, along with an assayer’s mark in a zigzag and the maker’s mark AG (likely Albertus Gartner) on the back. The lid is also marked 13. There are two additional markings which are difficult to read, albeit one appears to be the city hallmark.
Description: The backplate of the menorah is embossed and engraved with floral and scrollwork decorations. The front features a rectangular section with a hinged lid adorned with engraved flowers, opening to reveal eight oil pans with semi-tubes for wicks; silver leaves are soldered to both sides. The menorah is supported by four legs with a suspension hook on the back. It is possible that this menorah was used when traveling.
See identical item in the Jewish Museum in London (Item #239), although the latter lacks the silver leaves.
Condition: Good with minor defects; shammash is missing. leaf on the right probably restored.
Size: Height: 13 cm. Width: 14 cm.
Weight: 239 grams
Provenance: Yechezkel Toporowitch Collection
Frankfurt and Berlin Menorahs
German Jews traditionally prided themselves on using silver menorahs for Chanukah. This custom is likely rooted from Sefer “Yosef Ometz” (Book of Rituals and Customs, 1723) by the Frankfurt Kehillah which cites the sefer Seder Hayom regarding the custom of lighting candles in a silver menorah.
Demand for silver menorahs among all stratums of Jewish society began in Frankfurt, but spread swiftly to Berlin and other German Jewish communities. This established a need for smaller menorahs that would reduce the high costs and also facilitate use for travelers and wayfarers, but that would still be attractive enough to fulfill the dictum of “Zeh Keli V’anvehu” which entails beautifying every mitzvah to the best of one’s ability.
One of the most striking motifs of these menorahs are the bazichim, the cups earmarked for the oil, which are shaped as a small box with four legs from which eight half-branches or tubes emerge. These menorahs also feature a cover and an attractive backplate.
One of the artists most renowned for crafting this style of menorah was a Christian smith by the name of Rotger Herfurth whose earliest known pieces are dated as far back as 1748. Herfurth’s style was later replicated by many later artists.
This type of menorah remained popular until the end of the 19th century.
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