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ass the Peacock, Please

mes, a decorative element of a the centuries, the peacock — which became

h might have a connection to Jewish a symbol of wealth and beauty, as well as

n, but the real reason it becomes dangerous pride — was a popular design

opular is that it’s also in style in the motif in many cultures. But peacocks really

ding culture of the time. Peacock spread their wings, so to speak, during the Talk Like a Collector

hs are a prime example. late 1800s and early 1900s, when economic A Short Glossary of Chanukah Menorah Terms

ocks are mentioned in Melachim I If you’re considering becoming a Chanukah menorah collector yourself, here’s a
glossary of eight terms — one for each night of Chanukah — that will help you
Appreciation and blessingswhere we are told Shlomo Hamelech sound like a pro:
prosperity in Europe and the United States
created a demand for luxury goods. The Cartouche: A decorative shield, often oval-shaped and placed in the center of
the menorah’s backplate, which might have an inscription or a depiction of the
d ships from Tarshish bearing pre- exotic peacock fit the bill as a decorative menorah in the Beis Hamikdash, the Shnei Luchos Habris, or some other object.

argo: gold, silver, ivory, apes — and Chasing: A technique where malleable metal is hammered on the front side,
sinking the design element into the metal. Give yourself extra points for asking if
to the great scholar of Jewish historyks. The Midrash, when describing it’s hand-chased or done by machine.
device.
The peacock menorah in Mr. Hoffman’s Filigree: Intricate ornamentation fashioned from thin metal wires, often from
silver or gold.
collection is from late 19th-century Vienna.
What makes his menorah unusual is the Finial: An object at the top, end, or corner of an object. If you’ve read the rest
’s throne, says that sitting on the of the article, you’ll know one reason why some menorahs have an eagle finial
with two heads, while other eagle finials have only one.
and sacred objects of the rabbis andtep leading up to the throne was a
gle facing a gold peacock. So we can oversized base under the receptacles for the Gilded or Gilt-Silver: As Shakespeare once said, “All that glitters is not gold.”
If an item is gilded, it means a thin layer of gold has been applied to the metal.
righteous menpeacock has “yichus,” which perhaps oil. When I asked Mr. Hoffman if they had Parcel-gilt is a fancy way of saying that only part of an object has been gilded.
s why it turns up in ancient mosaics a use — were they perhaps containers to
Lion Rampant: You wouldn’t want to meet one in real life. “Rampant” refers
hold additional oil — he said no. They are for to the lion’s position: a profile view of a lion standing upright, with claws
decorative purposes only. unsheathed, as if ready to strike. A lion rampant is looking straight ahead, while
ed in Eretz Yisrael. a lion rampant regardant is looking backwards, over his shoulder.

Rebbetzin Sharon Lieberman Mintz,ns up elsewhere, as well. Throughout Repoussé: The opposite of chasing, in that the metal is hammered from the
back, creating a raised design in front.
senior consultant for Sotheby’s auction
Scrolling Foliage: Similar to a chazzan’s vocal trills, this ornamental
h house intertwining of natural-looking vines and stems with stylized patterns transforms
n and Jewish national treasures at the a plain piece of silver into an ornate floral design.
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ukah candle-lighting

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