SILVER AND GLASS HANGING MEMORIAL LAMP Morocco, 19320

From top loop, domed element with interior hanging section is suspended from three chains, consisting of cast interlace and floral and fish links; these lead first to a central coronet section with cast reinforced upper lip and cut out and engraved Hebrew inscriptions and three hollow wing elements; chains suspended from these attach to a bowl with convex lower section, high relief embossed ornamentation and attached cut out upper rim; cast grapevine finials attached to flat base. Lamp marked on top element . H: 940mm. Hooks on lamp replaced. Glass insert flares towards rim, gilt Hebrew inscription and arched decoration. H: 310mm. Inscription on glass worn; chip at upper rim

Hebrew cut-out inscription on lamp: "A ritual lamp to commemorate the soul of the worthy... Madame Shimi, wife of Enoch Moses Wachnesh, of blessed memory." Engraved inscription: "Deceased on the New Moon of Heshvan, 5692 (1932)." Hebrew inscription on glass insert: "In memory of the deceased soul...the lamp of illumination." Lamps such as these were frequent objects of dedication in Moroccan synagogues; see Raphael J. Ben-Simon, Moroccan Jewry: Culture and Tradition (1994) p. 518 for a very similar example.