Vintage Israeli 925 Sterling Silver Havdalah Besamim Spice Tower & Bells 141 G

Details

Description

This is an exquisite, vintage mid-to-late 20th-century 925 Sterling Silver Besamim (Spice) Tower, traditionally used during the Havdalah ceremony marking … Read more This is an exquisite, vintage mid-to-late 20th-century 925 Sterling Silver Besamim (Spice) Tower, traditionally used during the Havdalah ceremony marking the close of Shabbat.

Crafted in a classic architectural turret form, the tower features a square-section central spice chamber adorned with traditional repoussé and wirework detailing. The chamber has a fully functional, hinged door with a friction-fit loop closure, revealing a clean interior for fragrant cloves, myrtle, or cinnamon. The door itself is hand-engraved with the Hebrew word "בסמים" (Besamim/Spices).

Suspended from the lower corners of the spice chamber are four delicate sterling silver bells that chime softly when the tower is held. The top of the chamber transitions into a tall, tapering spire surmounted by a classic orb and a larger swallowtail pennant flag. This main flag is stamped with the Star of David (Magen David) and a "925" purity mark.

The Israeli Pomegranate Hallmark:

The four pivoting flags at the corners of the chamber each feature a microscopic, highly detailed hallmark that resembles a pinecone, pineapple, or stylized leaf. This mark is the official state silver assay certification mark of the Standards Institution of Israel (SII).

While the official gold certification stamp in Israel is the David's Harp (Kinnor David), the official state mark for verified sterling silver is the Pomegranate. Depicted with its traditional "crowned" calyx and segmented seed-bearing body, the tiny stamp is easily mistaken under a jeweler's loupe for a pinecone or pineapple. Its presence on each of the four separate pivoting flags serves as legal, state-certified provenance that every individual, movable component of this tower was submitted to and officially passed the metallurgical standards of the State of Israel to guarantee genuine 92.5% silver purity.

Item Details
Origin: Israel

Age: Circa 1960s–1980s (Vintage)

Material: Solid .925 Sterling Silver (acid-tested and state-verified)

Weight: Approximately 141 grams (approx. 4.19 Troy Ounces of fine silver)

Dimensions: Approx. 8.5" Tall; 2.25" Base Diameter

Markings: Stamped "925" on the lower base rim and on the top flag alongside the Magen David. Each of the four pivoting side flags is officially stamped with the micro-hallmark of the Standards Institution of Israel (the state Pomegranate assay mark).

Design Significance & Aesthetic Appeal
This exquisite spice tower exemplifies the mid-century revival of traditional European architectural silversmithing within the modern Israeli craft movement. Taking inspiration from medieval European castle turrets and Gothic belfries, this piece marries religious utility with high-end decorative art. The brilliant juxtaposition of structured geometric repoussé work against whimsical movement—found in the gently swaying bells and wind-pivoting pennant flags—gives the tower a striking sculptural presence. Its sophisticated proportions, state-certified silver purity, and gleaming metallic tones make it an exceptional collector's centerpiece.

Curator’s Note
For the discerning interior designer, this vintage sterling silver Besamim tower offers a brilliant pop of metallic warmth and historic texture. It serves as a beautiful accent piece for a curated mantelpiece, an elegant bar cart, or as part of a high-end metalware vignette on an entry console. Its rich architectural silhouette adds height and a sense of historical narrative to modern, transitional, or traditional spaces alike. See less