This is a marvelous brass, hanging Shabbat lamp (Juden Shtern) from Poland, late 18th c. The Sabbath lamp is lit by the mother of the household as the first ritual act of the Shabbat celebration. While many types of lamps have been used over the centuries, candle sticks have largely replaced the hanging candelabra that were common two centuries ago.

A bulbous stem supports six detachable scrolling branches that end in candle sockets and associated drip pans. Below the sockets is a six-arm star-form oil lamp, from which hangs a bell-shaped drip pan. The overall height from bottom of the drip pan to the top of the simple suspension loop is about 20". The condition is fair; one of the scrolling branches has a not readily detectable repair. There are also minor nicks and a few small dents located randomly about the piece. The candelabrum appears to have been drilled for electricity, although the alterations are not immediately apparent.

This is a magnificent, large sterling silver Kiddush cup with a gold wash interior. The side of the cup has 4 loop decorations extending from the bottom of the rim to almost one-half the way down the cup, and one polished and set azurite stone. The stem and base are constructed of Yemenite-style silver strands; and the Hebrew words Shabbat Shalom are embedded in the stem. Stamped on the underside of the stem is the mark of the artist (Ben-Zion David) and the sterling mark (925).

total height – 6 1/2“; diameter of cup rim – 2 5/8”; base diameter – 2 1/4”