Hanukkah Lamp – Italy, 17th Century – Angels and Moons

Hanukkah Lamp – Italy, 17th Century – Angels and Moons
Hanukkah lamp. Italy, [17th century].
Brass, cast.
Openwork back plate with central vase-like ornament: a winged angel squatting on a pedestal with a lid over his head, grasping scrolling tendrils that terminate as blossoms at the bases of flanking columns, in turn flanked by winged, horn-blowing angels (centaurs), facing outward and embracing pitchers. Underneath each pitcher is a lunar crescent bearing a human profile. At the top of the back plate is a cartouche flanked by a pair of putti that grasp the tips of the wings of the horn-blowing angels. The putti are seated on the central lid, resting their feet on the capitals of the columns. The cartouche is left blank; in all likelihood, it was reserved for a family seal.
Height: 17 cm. Width: 24 cm.
References: Mordechai Narkiss, "The Hanukkah Lamp, " Jerusalem, 1939, Pl. XI, item no. 31; Chaya Benjamin, "The Stieglitz Collection: Masterpieces of Jewish Art, " exhibition catalogue, The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, 1987, checklist item no. 123.