Large Hanukkah Lamp – Italy, 18th Century

Hanukkah lamp. Italy, [18th century].
Sheet brass, repoussé, engraved and pierced; brass and silver rivets; glass oil lamps.
Large, impressive Hanukkah lamp. Unusual design, which, according to Mordechai Narkiss, was inspired by the decorative elements used in Hebrew printing in 18th century Italy, found in books printed in Livorno or Pisa (the Feuchtwanger collection includes a similar Hanukkah lamp, engraved with the printer's device of the Foa family).
Cartouche-shaped back plate, engraved with rocaille and tendrils. Shelf at bottom, with eight pierced openings for the oil lamps (small, shallow metal cups were originally used). An additional shelf for the servant light attached at top-left of back plate. Suspension ring.
This lamp originates from the private collection of Joseph Stieglitz, and it can be seen, hanging on the wall in his home, in a photograph appearing at the beginning of "The Stieglitz Collection: Masterpieces of Jewish Art" (Israel Museum, 1987), p. 10.
Height: 30 cm, maximum width: 36.5 cm. Servant light attached with silver rivets.
Reference: Isaiah Shachar, "Jewish Tradition in Art: The Feuchtwanger Collection of Judaica, " item no. 345; Mordechai Narkiss, "The Hanukkah Lamp, " item no. 137.
Provenance:
1. The collection of Joseph Stieglitz (1903-1955).
2. Hammersite, Special Auction Including Paintings and Judaica from the Stieglitz Estate, Tel Aviv, 21.2.2011, lot no. 11221.