A Hanging Eternal Lamp (Ner Tamid) made of Silver. Viterbo-Italy 1858-64. From the Collection of the Silvio G. ...

A Hanging Eternal Lamp (Ner Tamid) made of Silver. Viterbo-Italy 1858-64. From the Collection of the Silvio G. Cusin, Milan.

An elegant and high-quality hanging oil lamp, crafted by hand entirely of silver, by an expert silversmith from the town of Viterbo - the 'City of the Popes' in the region of Rome.

Italian Jewish ceremonial objects are numerous and impressive, and well-evidence the ability of Italy's Jews, despite their seclusion in the ghettos, to fill their synagogues with objects of great beauty and monetary signifcance.

The traditional source of this item is the Eternal Light, also known as the 'Western Light' that was always lit on the Menorah of the Holy Temple, and from which fire was passed to ignite the other lights.

After the destruction of the Temple, the synagogue took its place as the center of religious worship, and at a certain point, a custom arose to keep an Eternal Light always burning within it, as explained by Menachem HaCohen:

"Day and night, without respite, a special light burns in the synagogue, called the 'Eternal Light', and it is characteristic of the synagogue. Some place it above the Torah Ark, while others have it affixed to the prayer stand of the Shaliah Tzibbur [prayer leader]. This custom originates in the 'Eternal Light' that was lit in the Tabernacle and in the Temple, which was also called the 'Western Light'. The Ner Tamid was usually comprised of a wick floating in oil in a special bowl. Wealthy communities invested in a lamp made of pure silver that hung by decorated silver chains."

The graceful Ner Tamid before us is comprised of four parts: an upper plate fitted with a hanger at the top, four silver chains, a silver bowl to hold the oil, and a decorative finishing element.

The central portion of the lamp is decorated with great elegance, exhibiting the wonderful hand-craftsmanship of the Italian silversmith who made it. Flowers on long thin stems encircle the outer facet of the bowl, while a large star motif adorns its underside – all executed in impressive repoussé and engraving.

Provenance:

Cusin Family Collection - Silvio Elhanan Cusin, Milan.

The lamp is feature in the publication ARTE- Nella Tradizione Ebraica.

The lamp is accompanied by a letter from silver expert Rafi Grafman, z"l, who dated the piece and identified its maker, the silversmith Carlo Loti.

57.5 cm. 1,269 grams. Marked.