AN IMPORTANT FILIGREE HANUKKAH LAMP. Ukraine, 1871.

Baal Shem Tov type lamp, overall filigree, backplate featuring two columns with petalled capitols flanking miniature ark with moveable doors, topped by cast stag couchant; curved sidepieces flanked by cast herons; at upper corners, channels for two candleholders. Above, applique ribbed crown with inner orb and cast bird finial, flanked by cast lions rampant standing on columns. The front bears an oil row consisting of eight miniature pitchers; the front parapet is ornamented with three cast animals; the whole on four S-form legs. Back decorated with checkerboard engraving. Marked inside ark. H: 220mm.

It is thought that the Baal Shem Tov, founder of the modern Hassidic Movement, used a Hanukkah lamp of a similar style. For a comparable lamp, slightly larger, with fewer decorative animals, see Sotheby’s Tel Aviv, November 9, 1998 , Lot 35 SEE ILLUSTRATION