Austria, Vienna, 1837

Silver, pierced, engraved, stamped
H 20 cm, W 25.5 cm

This attractive, elegant Hanukkah menorah is an accurate copy of the contemporary couch in the drawing rooms of many people of the Biedermeir era. There are several examples of this general type in public and private collections.

The back of the couch form is very delicately cut out and engraved with leaves and flowers. The upper part is like an elaborately carved top piece of the furniture. The proportions and finish make this a fine representative piece from Vienna of this time. It is a prime example of the integration of contemporary styles and forms in the making of Judaica. The silvermark of the master is unfortunately struck poorly and therefore unidentifiable, but the city/date mark is clearly 1837.

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