Two-Tiered Hanukkah Lamp – Alsace, 19th Century

Two-Tiered Hanukkah Lamp – Alsace, 19th Century
Two-tiered Hanukkah lamp, to be lit by two people. Alsace (Upper Rhineland), [19th century].
Sheet brass, cut, repoussé, and soldered; sheet aluminum, cut and soldered.
The two levels of this Hanukkah lamp enable kindling by two individuals (for instance, father and son). This feature, plus the star-shaped ornament on the upper part of the back plate, point to the origins of this item in the Upper Rhineland.
Arched back plate, with circled star at center. Deep, wide basin; contains small shelves upon which the rows of (removable) oil fonts rest. Rectangular oil fonts, each with elevated prong, diagonally projecting forward and terminating in front with metal ring for wick. Removable drawer at bottom, for holding wicks or serving as drip pan. Lamp supported on four legs.
Height: 24 cm. Width: 21 cm. Depth: 11 cm. Servant light missing. Rust and soldering traces.
References: Ester Muchawsky-Schnapper (curator and ed.), "Les Juifs d’Alsace: Village, Tradition, Emancipation, " exhibition catalogue, The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, 1991, item no. 35; Susan L. Braunstein, "Five Centuries of Hanukkah Lamps from The Jewish Museum: A Catalogue Raisonné, " The Jewish Museum, New York, 2004, item nos. 235, 237, 238.