Photo © Israel Museum, Jerusalem, by Elie Posner |
|
|
Hanukkah lamp with High Priest kindling the Temple Menorah and Bar Kokhba coins
Jerusalem, Israel 1914-29 Sharar workshop, Bezalel Brass sheet, stamped and soldered Inscribed in Hebrew: “These lights are sacred” H: 26; W: 18.7 cm Anonymous gift Accession number: B85.0074 ; 118/838 |
|
|
The recurrent themes in works produced in the Bezalel School of Arts and Crafts could be viewed as a logical consequence of the institution’s mission, namely to create “a new Hebrew style” that would represent a synthesis of the glorious biblical past with the contemporary Zionist vision of the return of the Jewish nation to its land. The images included the Tablets of the Law, the Temple menorah, and the Seven Species. Ancient coins – especially from the period of the Bar Kokhba Rebellion – were among the most prevalent motifs. Here they appear in the form of coin-like circles imprinted with images that include the facade of the Temple, a lulav bundle (palm frond with myrtle boughs and willow branches) and etrog (citron), an amphora, a vine leaf, three ears of grain, a harp, and a date palm tree. Digital presentation of this object was made possible by: The Ridgefield Foundation, New York, in memory of Henry J. and Erna D. Leir |
|
