Kazakh Gem-inlaid, Parcel-Gilt Silver Hanukkah Lamp

This Hanukkah lamp is of silver, gilt, and some copper. It has been decorated with silver granulation work and set with turquoise and green jade cabochons and garnets.

It comprises a pierced backing plate surmounted by two crested bird motifs. A Star of David hangs beneath them and then beneath this hangs a silver ribbon with applied silver lettering which reads in Hebrew ‘Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha’olam’ or in English ‘Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe,’ which is the opening of many traditional Jewish prayers.’

The lamp has eight silver holders for candles, and a ninth to one side made of copper. This would have held the server or ‘servant’ candle (shamash) used to light the other candles.

The work on the lamp is typically Kazakh, and is the same work seen on Kazakh silver jewellery such as bracelets and rings. Some of the granulation work is achieved by stamping silver triangles so that it looks granulated and then applying these to the item. This too is typical of the work seen on Kazakh jewellery.

Dating Kazakh jewellery and thus this lamp is difficult. The work is often ascribed to the 19th century but there is little evidence that this type of work dates to much before the 20th century.

Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days and commemorates the re-dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem by the Maccabees in 164BC. During the annual festival of Hanukkah (which means ‘dedication’ in Hebrew), one light is lit on the first night, and another is added each night until all eight lights are lit by the final night of the festival.

There has long been a small but dynamic Jewish population in Uzbekistan. The community has drawn on two distinct sources: Jews from Bukhara, and Ashkenazi Jews who were drawn from central Europe. The latter were later arrivals.

The lamp has much oxidation from age and presumably use.