Object of Jewish cult

The object is a small tabletop item of openwork construction, on low, profiled legs. The upper part has a shaped, wavy top edge. The body is formed of a continuous, pierced metal sheet, worked in filigree technique with granulated spirals and a looped border along the edges. The main motifs of the ornament are symmetrical heart-shaped cartouches, filled with small scrollwork and rings of twisted wire, as well as rosettes in the form of "daisy" flowers with smooth oval and round medallions at their centers, and applied, smooth, rhombus-shaped plaques. At the center of the lower band is an openwork, shaped medallion of complex form with an interwoven floral motif, which may contain a monogram. On the reverse is a continuous metal base plate with a fine "checkerboard" engraved background; the decorative overlays of the front are attached to it by square, nut-like fittings.

The object belonged to the pre-war (pre-1941) part of the collection of the Historical Museum. It was evacuated in 1941, and returned to Kharkiv in November 1944.

Note: the object is likely a fragment of a hanukkiah.

The hanukkiah, or Hanukkah menorah (a "Hanukkah lamp," a nine-branched candelabrum), is a lamp lit over the eight days of the festival of Hanukkah. Eight of its nine branches hold lights (candles or oil lamps) symbolizing the eight nights of the festival. The ninth branch holds a candle called the shamash ("helper" or "servant"), used to light the other eight. The Hanukkah menorah honors, but is distinct from, the seven-branched menorah used in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem. Together with the seven-branched menorah and the Star of David, it is one of the most widely reproduced objects of Jewish ceremonial art.