This is a beautifully decorated Chanukiya (Hanukah lamp) from the collections of the Jewish Museum, London. It was made around 1921–1922 from a brass shell case used in World War I.
The nine stalks intended as candle holders are attached to the shell case with Magen Davids (Stars of David). The words of the blessing over the Chanukah candles are engraved behind the candle holders. Etched underneath the blessings on the front of the Chanukiya are Hebrew words reading “by Raphael Avraham Shalem.” Above the blessing, there are nine arched doorways with hanging lamps (one for each candle). The words to the Chanukah song “Al HaNisim” feature in each arch. Above the doorways is a dedication written in Hebrew:
An everlasting souvenir for the High Commissioner of the Land of Israel, Eliezer ben Menahem, whom God protect. In his days may Judah and Is[rael] be saved. Amen.
On the reverse side two pictures are engraved in the brass: one depicts the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem and the Tower of David; the other, underneath it, is an image of soldiers carrying guns and marching together with military trucks and horses. One side of the Chanukiya is open, while the other side contains some drawings of flowers as well as an image of the Tower of David and what appears to be Rachel’s Tomb. There is also a circle with the Hebrew words, “Jerusalem 5682 (1921-1922)” in the centre and surrounded by the words “by your servant Raphael A. Shalem.”
This Chanukiya is an example of “trench art,” decorative items created from war materials including used shell cases. The artist was Raphael Avraham Shalem, a native of Salonica who was a student at Bezalel, the Jerusalem College of Art, from 1913–1918. He created some other “trench art” pieces such as this.
From the dedication on the Chanukiya it appears that after the war it was given to Sir Herbert Samuel, whose Hebrew name was Eliezer ben Menahem. Samuel, a British Jew, was the first British high commissioner of Palestine from 1920–1925. When he was appointed, Jews were very optimistic about his role in establishing a Jewish state; however, he held a neutral position and attempted to appease both Zionist and Arab parties, ultimately disappointing both sides.
Would You Like to Know More?
Chanukiya - A Chanukiya (also known as a Menorah) is a lamp that is lit on the eight nights of Chanukah in memory of the miracle that happened during Greek rule of the Land of Israel. The Maccabees led the Jewish people in a revolt against the Greeks and freed the Jewish Temple from idols. They wanted to rededicate the Temple by relighting the Menorah, but there was not enough oil left. A small jar of oil, enough to last for one day, lasted miraculously for eight days, which was enough time to prepare fresh oil. The holiday of Chanukah commemorates this miracle through several traditions, most notably lighting candles (or oil) in a Chanukiya for eight days. A Chanukiya consists of nine candle holders – one for each of the eight nights and an additional one for the shamash, the candle which is used to light the other candles.
