The Art of Advent: Day Eleven
By Elizabeth Gillett
The month of December often brings to mind snow flurries, gingerbread, and an abundance of Christmas cheer. However, Hanukkah, the eight-day festival in Judaism known as the Festival of Lights (this year, running from sundown on December 7 until December 15), deserves its own spotlight.
Hanukkah Lamp, c. 1866-1872. Polish, Lviv (Lvov or Lemberg). Silver, 85.3 x 58.7 cm. Metropolitan Museum of Art, on loan from the Moldovan Family Collection.
This ornate nineteenth century Polish menorah currently resides at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The lamp stands at almost a metre tall and is made from silver, which was cast, chased, and then engraved. Adorned with an intricate floral motif, this enchanting piece incorporates four miniature lions, which hold up the lamp’s base. In addition, a majestic eagle stands atop the menorah’s central branch, which holds the shamash, the attendant candle used to ignite the other lights.
Close up of the menorah’s base.
The menorah’s base is inscribed with the words “כִּֽי־עִ֭מְּךָ מְק֣וֹר חַיִּ֑ים בְּ֝אוֹרְךָ֗ נִרְאֶה־אֽוֹר׃”, meaning “With You is the fountain of life; by Your light do we see light”, which comes from Psalms 36:10. This refined, dynamic lamp recalls the concept of hiddur mitzvah: the idea that a Jewish ceremony can be enhanced through the incorporation of beautiful objects. This December, while drinking hot cocoa and cozying up with loved ones, consider pondering this awe-inspiring lamp and the miracle of Hanukkah. Chag sameach!
Bibliography:
Rapoport, Abigail. “Lions and Flowers and Hanukkah Candles, Oh My! A Silver Menorah Visits the Met”, 30 November 2018. Accessed 8 December 2023. https://www.metmuseum.org/blogs/now-at-the-met/2018/lemberg-lviv-hannukah-lamp-menorah