COTE DE TEXAS: Antique Judaica

Antique Judaica

Jews all over the world are celebrating the holiday of Chanukah this week. Chanukah, or The Festival of Lights, is a very minor holiday with little religious significance. A battle fought between the Greeks and the Jews, under the leadership of Judah Maccabee and his brothers, was finally ended when the Jews drove out the Greeks and began to rededicate the second Jewish temple in Jerusalum. Olive oil, which was needed to burn the temple's eternal flame, was scare. There was only enough oil to last one night, but miraculously God enabled the oil to burn for 8 days - the time it took to process new olive oil. Alongside the huge growth of the commercialism of Chrismas, Chanukah has become a widely celebrated holiday by mostly Jews worldwide. The most visible symbol of the holiday is the menorah, or the candelabra with its eight candle holders plus one which is used to light each individual candle. The fesital lasts 8 days and corresponds with the winter solstice, as does Christmas. Most Jewish families have several menorahs, a new one given perhaps as a wedding shower gift, and an old one that has been passed down for a generation or two.

These old menorahs are widely valued in the collecting field known as Judaica, or the area of collecting Jewish ceremonial and secular items. This field has grown enormously in the past decade and major auction houses such as Christies and Sotheby's have their own Judaica divisions. Perhaps it is the hunger for a more spiritual life that has fueled this field of collecting or maybe it result of the Holocaust that has caused this pride of religion. Regardless of it's reasons, Judaica is a hot item - not quite reaching Major Trend Alert status, prices of Judaica are going through the roof.

There are three components of Judaica: manuscripts and books written in Hebrew, fine art, and ritual objects (of which the menorah would fall under). Items can be secular or relgious. Since Jew migrated from the Holy Land through Spain, into Eastern Europe through Germany and finally Russia - before they began their westward flight to the Americas, Northern and Southern, Judaica comes from many countries, with each country's unique influence onto a single object. Religious objects are universally either silver, pewter, or brass. Gold is rarely, if ever seen.

23 comments :

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. Happy Holidays to you, Joni!

    These pieces are so beautiful and meaningful!

    Pat

    PS: My delete above!

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  3. Joni,
    Happy Chanukah to you!!!! And Best Wishes for a Great New Year! Your blog is a great gift to us readers, I'm so thankful for finding you.
    -Linda
    ps thanks again for the magazine- your home looks amazing!

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  4. What a wonderful post! I always learn do much from you.

    I grew up in a town that had many Jewish families, and I have fond memories of being invited over for a night of the Chanukah celebration.

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  5. I meant, I learn SO much from you. Sorry for the typo!

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  6. This is great Joni. There are some exquisite menorahs out there but few are highlighted in magazines. I know some of my friends find it a challenge to locate new ones they really like. All your examples here are wonderful.

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  7. As always I learn so much from your blog and this post is no exception!!!! Thanks for sharing about these wonderful pieces!
    Happy Holidays!
    ~Des

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  8. Hi Joni-
    Love this post! Simply beautiful! I have a heavy little Chanukkah gift coming your way -enjoy... (yes, i finally sent it off today!)
    Ciao!

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  9. Mavel tov! Great post. I just sent you a Chanukah video.

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  10. These items are gorgeous and meaningful. Thank you for teaching and sharing.

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  11. I loved this post, Joni! Wonderful pieces and historical background. Happy Hanukkah!

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  12. Thank you for this Joni. I was not familiar with so many of the rituals, so this is great. Such rich and ornate antiques!

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  13. I don't know Joni, these seem to put the 12 days frames to shame!

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  14. Beautiful and informative post!
    Bravo!!
    Thanks

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  15. Wonderful post !!! Thank you for sharing with us these wonderful treasures.
    I love to collect judaica paintings . L'école de Paris was so famous ...
    I don't have a lot of jewish antiques like that but I wish I would.
    In the south of France ( Carpentras for example) we have the oldest synagogues of France , they are full of treasures

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  16. Joni
    What beautiful pictures of Judaica ceremonial pieces, so full of meaning & symbolism. Wishing you a Happy Chanukah and a Merry Christmas!

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  17. Joni, Thanks for posting the silver Judaica. I love every piece. I have such an appreciation for the meaning and beauty of thse items. The Polish Menorrah is awesome and the tzedakah box is a great find. Great post!

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  18. Sorry! I saw I put one to many r's in Menorahs as I was hitting publish!

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  19. wow! fascinating post - I had no idea that they were only in silver and never in gold! Thank you!

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  20. Many thanks for these images, even though I am a few years behind :)

    Who is Johannes Basboom ? I thought I knew every Jewish painter in the world. And do you know what shule he was depicting, or at least which city?

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  21. I like your site!! I invite you to take a tour on my jewelry website, and if should more information is required.
    http://dietpillmed.blogspot.com

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  22. I like your site!! I invite you to take a tour on my jewelry website, and if should more information is required.
    http://dietpillmed.blogspot.com

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  23. Hi Joni Picked up the exact seder plate you have posted on your blog. If you have more information about this plate I would really appreciate it. Thanks. Michael

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