Sabbath Candlesticks

Danzig or Lemberg, Poland, ca. 1670-1700
Cast, repousée, engraved parcel-gilt silver, h. 11 11/16 x w. 7 ½ in.
Marks: Polish and Austrian. Czihak5; indistinct maker’s mark; r7989 (restamping of Lemberg [Lvov] 1806-7 and 7884 (a Rosenberg mark); restamping 1809-10
Cincinnati Skirball Museum, B’nai B’rith Klutznick National Jewish Museum Collection, gift of Joseph B. and Olyn Horwitz, 2015.17.142a and b

Objects of great beauty have been fashioned to celebrate the weekly Sabbath, or Shabbat, commemorating the day of rest following creation. Shabbat begins at sundown on Friday evening with the blessing and kindling of lights and blessings over wine and bread. Distinctly Baroque in style, the base of each of these ornate candlesticks contains panels featuring various biblical scenes including the Judgement of Solomon; Jacob’s Dream; Cain and Abel; Jacob Wrestling with the Angel; and the Binding of Isaac. The candlesticks are further decorated with grape clusters and applied silver flowers. A Hebrew inscription is etched into the base of each candlestick indicating that they were once owned by a Jewish couple, Naphtali and Ziporah Herz. Before coming back into Jewish possession when purchased at auction in 1962 by the Horwitz family, the candlesticks were in the collection of the Marquess of Exeter, Burghly House by Stamford, and have been exhibited at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

Publications:
In the Spirit of Tradition: The B’nai B’rith Klutznick Museum, ed. Linda Altshuler, 1987, cat. 75; p. 77, ill. p. 38