BRONZE HANUKKAH LAMP. New York, 1926 - 1941.

Cast brass lamp lamp in the form of the word “Ivriah”, rising on short tapered shaft from rectangular base. The tops of the letters support eight round candleholders. Tall servant light screws into flange which protrudes from back. H (without Shamash): 170mm.

Ivriah, which means “Jewess” in Hebrew, was an American Jewish women’s organization seeking to improve Jewish education for women and children. One of their goals was to fill Jewish homes with ceremonial objects, in accordance with Mordecai M. Kaplans’s statement that “ … every available aesthetic means of giving Jewish atmosphere to the home be utilized.” See The Jewish Museum Catalogue,” Getting Comfortable in New York -- The American Jewish Home,” (1990) p. 51. For an almost identical lamp, see Kestenbaum, & Company, Sale IX, March 28th, 2000, Lot 21.