Besomim (spice) container
Brno, Moravia, Czech Republic, c1880
Craftsman: - "ee" unidentified
Silver, filigree; h 5 cm, w 3.4 cm, l 7.6 cm

During the last half of the 19th century in Europe, there was a craze for miniatures. As a part of this fashion many miniature objects were produced in silver. As the locomotive became more a part of the local landscape, they, too, were copied in silver. Some of those miniatures were used as spice containers for the havdalah service.

This container was made by "ee" (whose full name is not known) of Brno, who crafted many spice towers. The Gross Family collection includes another spice tower and a Hanukkah menorah crafted by "ee."