Rare 19thC Polish Brass Hanukkah Menorah Oil Lamp Crown Lions Judaica

Details

Description

This is an exceptional, highly rare 19th-century Eastern European bench-type Hanukkah oil lamp, boasting an exquisite provenance and the highly … Read more This is an exceptional, highly rare 19th-century Eastern European bench-type Hanukkah oil lamp, boasting an exquisite provenance and the highly sought-after technical hallmarks prized by advanced Judaica collectors.

Item Details & Technical Specifications

Type: Historic Bench-Type Hanukkah Lamp (Hanukiah)

Country of Origin: Poland (Eastern Europe)

Approximate Age: Circa 1850–1880 (19th Century)

Maker: Traditional Eastern European Jewish Metal Foundry / Brass Caster (Unmarked)

Material: Heavy, Substantial Solid Cast Brass (Early Sand-Cast Technique)

Dimensions: Approximately 7.25'' Wide x 7'' Tall x 1.5'' Deep

Weight: 296 Grams (10.44 oz) — Note: Highly substantial, thick casting for its compact size.

Provenance: Sourced directly from J. Greenstein & Co. Judaica Auctioneers (The world's premier authority and expert house for authentic antique Judaica).

1. Renowned J. Greenstein & Co. Provenance
This important piece was sourced directly from J. Greenstein & Co. Judaica Auctioneers, widely recognized as the premier global authority, appraiser, and auction house for historic Jewish ritual art. Passing through such specialized hands acts as an automatic, built-in vetting process for its absolute authenticity, immediately separating this piece from the mass of modern reproductions and tourist-market brassware found online.

2. High-Quality Artisan Sand-Casting & Heavy Weight
Unlike thin, late-19th-century stamped sheet-brass pieces or flimsy souvenirs, this lamp is an early-to-mid 19th-century traditional sand-casting. Weighing an incredibly substantial 296 grams for its compact 7.25'' frame, it feels immensely solid in the hand. The ornate, high-relief backplate features a beautifully realized central Crown (symbolizing the Keter Torah or Crown of the Law) flanked by traditional scrolling foliate motifs and openwork architecture reminiscent of the lost wooden and stone synagogues of historic Poland. The underside displays the characteristic structural irregularities, hand-tooling, and deep file marks of a master 19th-century craftsman.

3. Pristine, Untouched Historic Surface
Purists and serious metalware collectors heavily penalize polished or scrubbed brass. This lamp is preserved in its ultimate, coveted state: a magnificent, deep, uncleaned, original natural bronze-gold patina. It features authentic centuries-old oxidation, faint verdigris accents in the recesses, and residual historic wax—preserving the exact physical story and character of its survival.

The front is anchored by a fixed "bench" reservoir of eight individual oil fonts, complete with distinct, early pinched spouts designed for flax or cotton wicks and olive oil (though it can easily accommodate small modern candles if preferred for display).

Reference: > For closely related examples of 18th and 19th-century Polish sand-cast brass bench lamps featuring similar crown motifs and openwork architectural styling, see:
Book Title: The Hanukkah Lamp
Author: Mordecai Narkiss
Published: Jerusalem, 1939 (Bney Bezalel Publishing Co.)
Reference Section: See Plate Series detailing Eastern European / Polish brass bench-type castings. See less