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They began as humble oil containersPass the Peacock, Please

made out of clay. But as the centuriesSometimes, a decorative element of a the centuries, the peacock — which became
passed, expert craftsmen turned themenorah might have a connection to Jewish a symbol of wealth and beauty, as well as
Chanukah menorah into a stunning tradition, but the real reason it becomes dangerous pride — was a popular design
work of art. During a recent visit wildly popular is that it’s also in style in the motif in many cultures. But peacocks really
to the home of Judaica collector surrounding culture of the time. Peacock spread their wings, so to speak, during the
Yaakov Hoffman, Mishpacha got a menorahs are a prime example. late 1800s and early 1900s, when economic Talk Lik
glimpse at intriguing menorahs that Peacocks are mentioned in Melachim I prosperity in Europe and the United States
you probably won’t find in your local10:22, where we are told Shlomo Hamelech created a demand for luxury goods. The A Short Glossary of Chanu
received ships from Tarshish bearing pre- exotic peacock fit the bill as a decorative If you’re considering becom
Judaica store. device. glossary of eight terms — o
cious cargo: gold, silver, ivory, apes — and sound like a pro:

peacocks. The Midrash, when describing The peacock menorah in Mr. Hoffman’s Cartouche: A decorative
the menorah’s backplate, w
Silent Shlomo’s throne, says that sitting on the collection is from late 19th-century Vienna. menorah in the Beis Hamik
Bidder fourth step leading up to the throne was a What makes his menorah unusual is the
Yaakov Hogfofmldaneagle facing a gold peacock. So we can oversized base under the receptacles for the Chasing: A technique wh
doesn’t wasnayt the peacock has “yichus,” which perhaps oil. When I asked Mr. Hoffman if they had sinking the design element
to talk aboeuxtplains why it turns up in ancient mosaics a use — were they perhaps containers to it’s hand-chased or done b
himself — enxoctavated in Eretz Yisrael. hold additional oil — he said no. They are for
even about It turns up elsewhere, as well. Throughout decorative purposes only. Filigree: Intricate ornam
when and why silver or gold.

he became a Finial: An object at the t
of the article, you’ll know o
collector of Judaica. We’re here to talk about with two heads, while othe

Chanukah menorahs, he tells me. Period. Full Gilded or Gilt-Silver: As
If an item is gilded, it mean
stop. So don’t expect a story rich with Jewish Parcel-gilt is a fancy way o

geography: who married whom, who learned Lion Rampant: You woul
to the lion’s position: a pro
The Menorahwith whom, who went into business with unsheathed, as if ready to
whom, who has grandchildren who married the a lion rampant regardant i

Goes Moderngrandchildren of whom. The only yichus we’re Repoussé: The opposite
going to talk about is the yichus of the stunning back, creating a raised des
What m14e-nkaorraathgdooledsCMhra.nHuokfafhmmaneunsoerathoskitintidnlge ohnis hCishanukah lights?
Scrolling Foliage: Simila
“Thids ionnineg,”thaeblsea,yass, pwoeilnl taisnga tfoewa opthhoetropoief caesstainndhiins g menorah with intertwining of natural-loo
squarecdolbleracnticohne.s. Made in Germany during the 1920s or 1930s, the menorah a plain piece of silver into
is craftedAilnontghethAertwDaey,cIowstilyl llee.arn that Mr. Hoffman
27 Kislev 5780 13| 7December 2
AccocrodlliencgtstoJuBdriatiacnanbiceac.caoumse, htheeeinnjtoeynstinoinceof Art Deco was to create
“a sleetkhianngds a—ntsio-tmraedoitfiownhailcehleagreanocnedtihsaptlasyymonbothliezed wealth and
sophiswticaalltsioonf.h” iTshJeersutrseaalemmlinaepdarltomoeknwt,aasnudsesdomtoecorfeate designs for
everytwhihnigchfraorme sciltottinhginignttohehobmreeakfufrronnisth. i(nNgesetdoleosfsfice buildings. (The
EmpiretoSstaatye, hBeuieldminpgloiyssavparriiomues esxeacmurpitlye.s)yAstnedm, os.f)course, Chanukah
menorFaohsr.several decades he has been a visitor to

Candweolarlbdr-ac-lsatsysleaumcetinoonrahhosu,sweshiscuhcwh earseSoontcheebpyr’ism, arily found in
synagoagltuheosu,gwhepreriveaspteecairatlldyesauleitresdcotomtehetoAhritmDetocoo. treatment, and during
the 190A0nsdtwhehasttypleerbheacpasmdeelpigohptuslhairmfomr hoostmise nuoste ttooo.

AnoothuetrbimdeenvoerrayhoitnhMerr.bHidodffemr ainn’tshceoallueccttiioonn rforoomm,this era is one crafted
by artibstutZetoevruRnaabcarnosfosratnhieteBmeztahlaetl Wis oinrkssohmoep winaEyretz Yisrael. According
to Mr. Hunouffsmuaaln —, opnelyrhtahpreseeovethneurncioqpuiee.s of this menorah exist, and he knows
the wherBeuatbaoguatsino, fwtew’roeonfotthheemre. Otonetaislkoawbnoeudt Mbyr. the president of the
State oHfoIfsfrmaealn. .AWnoet’rheerheorneetios tpaalkrtaobfotuhtemcoelnleocratihosn of the North Carolina
MuseutmhaotfaArertu(nNuCsMuaAl.)A; innd2o0n15e imt wadaes fsreolemctgeodldto be lit by then-president
BaracksuOrbelaymqaudaluifriiensg. the White House’s annual Chanukah candle-lighting
ceremony.

15682 MISHPACHA