19th Century Silver Filigree Besamim Spice Tower Judaica Havdalah Turret W/ Flag

Details

Description

This exquisite antique Besamim spice tower is a masterpiece of late 19th-century Judaica. Handcrafted using the laborious filigree technique, it … Read more This exquisite antique Besamim spice tower is a masterpiece of late 19th-century Judaica. Handcrafted using the laborious filigree technique, it features delicate, silver or silver plate lace-like wirework throughout the central spice chamber and tiered steeple. The tower is designed with a base supported by three ball feet, leading up to a tiered turret adorned with a traditional pennant flag —the sound of which symbolically awakens the senses at the end of Shabbat.

The central chamber allows for the placement of aromatic spices. Its architecture-inspired design serves as a "castle of scent," a beautiful representation of the "extra soul" (neshamah yeteirah) departing at the Sabbath's end.

Item Specifics:
Origin: Most likely Eastern Europe (Polish, Russian, or Austro-Hungarian regions), where this intricate filigree style flourished.

Age: Circa late 19th century (1880–1900).

Material: Likely low-grade silver (e.g., 800/1000 silver) or silver-plated brass/white metal. Since many of these items were produced in small workshops, they are often unmarked.

Reference
Source: The Jewish Museum, New York: Catalogue of the Collection
Reference: For a similar 19th-century European tower-form spice box with filigree and flag finial, see typical examples cataloged under "Spice Containers: Tower Form" (Comparative examples often cited in Judaica by Jay Weinstein, p. 112).

Item dimensions: 7" tall × 3" widest diameter
Weight of item: 2.7 oz See less