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Antique Circa 1920 Silver Austria Jewish Menorah Wiener Werkstatte Art Deco

$ 3960

Availability: 100 in stock

Description

10 inches high, 8 inches wide. Servant light is missing. No damage or repairs to the menorah, it is in perfect condition. Two tiny silver hallmarks on one side of the base that are too difficult to photograph, but typical of Austrian marks of this era. The cups and base are entirely hand hammered. Could use a good polishing as some areas have tarnished. Dates to circa 1920.
This is direct from a recent estate sale in New York City. I believe this exceptionally rare menorah was sold at Sotheby's over 40 years ago, and a picture of it from the auction catalog is published in the 1985 book "A Collector's Guide to Judaica" by Jay Weinstein (Weinstein was an expert at Sotheby's and wrote this book using photos from Sotheby's sales). I have scanned the book photo as you can see. As you know, the Wiener Werkstatte never made Jewish objects (including menorahs), the only Jewish-themed item they ever made was postcards for Rosh Hashonah (the Jewish New Year). The design of this menorah with the hand hammering is obviously influenced by silver pieces of the WW made in 1918 in Vienna. If this were a WW menorah, you can imagine the price it would sell for, as seen in the auction result photos from earlier this year. Of course it is not however, but it is as close as to you owning a WW menorah.
Pickups in person are welcome, I am in New York City.