{"id":8450464088214,"title":"Menorah, Great Garden Street Synagogue, 1902","handle":"menorah-great-garden-street-synagogue-1902","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis beautiful monumental menorah (or chanukiah) was dedicated, as detailed in the Hebrew inscription on the menorah’s base, to the Great Garden Street Synagogue by the Ladies’ Society (Chevras Nashim) in the month of Kislev during the Jewish year 5663, which correlates with December 1902. According to a 1901 article published in the Jewish Chronicle, the Ladies Society had already been active for three years and provided clothing and footwear for the children who attended the Great Garden Street Synagogue’s Talmud Torah classes. The Ladies’ Society’s charitable work was noted in the subsequent years in the Jewish Chronicle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn the 2nd of January 1903, the Jewish Chronicle reported that a general meeting had been held for the members of the “Ladies Holy Vestment Society” of the Great Garden Street Synagogue due to the presentation of a solid silver Chanukah “candelabra”, the presentation having taken place on the previous Sunday. The presentation of this generous donation was made by “Mesdames I. Lightstone, B. Landy, I. Sacker and M. Crook” on behalf of the Ladies’ Society members. The article states that the silversmith was “Mr A. Halpern, 22 Alie Street”. The synagogue President, Mr L. Cohen, “occupied the chair, supported by Mr A. Marks in the vice-chair” and after the meeting and evening services refreshments were enjoyed. The article states that Cohen offered his appreciation for the gift and that a vote was passed to thank the Ladies Society for “the interest they had in beautifying the synagogue.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis remarkable account not only serves as an excellent resource for the history of this menorah but also as a fascinating insight into the culture and practices of the congregation and organisational structure of the Great Garden Street Synagogue.\u003cbr\u003eDesigned by the architect Lewis Solomon (1848-1928) in 1895-6, the Great Garden Street\u003cbr\u003eSynagogue long served as the headquarters of the Federation of Synagogues between 1974 to 1992, demonstrating its centrality and importance within the organisation. The synagogue was demolished in that last decade, with the final services taking place in 1997. The building was adapted from another structure to become a synagogue, which explains why the Aron HaKodesh (Torah ark) was positioned in the west of the building rather than the east. The exterior was simple and the synagogue had minimal decoration in the interior compared with other 19th century synagogues, as was the Federation’s custom. The space contained a traditional rectangular Ashkenazi floor plan, with a centrally placed Bimah (platform from which the Torah scrolls are read) surrounded by pews and an upstairs gallery with iron columns for the women’s section. Prayer boards for the British Royal family and a pulpit from which sermons in English were given were also in place, with these inclusions reflecting the 19th and early 20th century initiative to integrate the migrant Jewish community into Anglo-Jewish culture. The architecture of Federation synagogues was modest in comparison with the United Synagogue and light poured in through a skylight rather than through windows, the view of the urban East End\u003cbr\u003eshielded from the congregants during prayer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne can imagine that the light from above would have beautifully illuminated the luster of this exquisite solid silver menorah. The menorah measures 80 x 97 cm, with the Sterling Silver British Hallmarks for 1902 clearly discernible on several parts of the menorah. The Maker's Mark is HA for Atkin Brothers and the Assay Mark corresponds with the London leopard. The menorah contains floral decorations, the circular base surrounded by patterns of leaves and flowers which similarly adorn the sconces, stem and branches. The sconces and lower branches detach and the base can be unscrewed from the stem. Atop the menorah is a gold gilded silver eagle standing upon a globe, with the silver hallmark included on one of its inner wings. Eagles in Jewish symbolism have a variety of attributes, with this bird often serving as a metaphorical aid for teachings in Tanach (the 24 books of the Hebrew Bible). A recurring theme is the eagle’s ability to soar heavenward and nest at great heights. The eagle is also associated with kingship, with prominent commentators such as Rashbam, Bekhor Shor, Rashi and Or HaHyim viewing the eagle’s natural characteristics as symbolising strength, power and leadership, with the Or HaHyim stating that the adult eagle represents God while its young represent the Children of Israel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis exceptional, striking menorah demonstrates the respect and sentiment felt towards the synagogue from the Ladies’ Society. During the time of the menorah’s dedication, the synagogue was less than 10 years old yet the nature and significance of such a gift demonstrates how important the synagogue was in the eyes of the community. Furthermore, the important charitable work that the Ladies’ Society provided for the community’s youth and their ability to donate such an impressive gift demonstrates their respectability and prominence in the Great Garden Street Synagogue. This menorah was intended for the festival of Chanukah, as detailed in the Jewish Chronicle article, with this also being signified through its eight branches and one shamesh (the flame and space used for lighting the other candles or wicks). With its beautiful designs, floral patterns, grand size, gold gilded silver eagle and remarkable history, this monumental menorah would have been a prized treasure in the collection of the Great Garden Street Synagogue and serves as a remarkable testimony to the importance the synagogue had and the honour bestowed upon it by the Ladies’ Society of this early 20th century London community.\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2025-08-11T15:33:01+01:00","created_at":"2025-07-18T17:10:36+01:00","vendor":"Joseph Cohen Antiques","type":"Menorah, Great Garden Street Synagogue, 1902","tags":[],"price":4500000,"price_min":4500000,"price_max":4500000,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":45208615813270,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default 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beautiful monumental menorah (or chanukiah) was dedicated, as detailed in the Hebrew inscription on the menorah’s base, to the Great Garden Street Synagogue by the Ladies’ Society (Chevras Nashim) in the month of Kislev during the Jewish year 5663, which correlates with December 1902. According to a 1901 article published in the Jewish Chronicle, the Ladies Society had already been active for three years and provided clothing and footwear for the children who attended the Great Garden Street Synagogue’s Talmud Torah classes. The Ladies’ Society’s charitable work was noted in the subsequent years in the Jewish Chronicle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn the 2nd of January 1903, the Jewish Chronicle reported that a general meeting had been held for the members of the “Ladies Holy Vestment Society” of the Great Garden Street Synagogue due to the presentation of a solid silver Chanukah “candelabra”, the presentation having taken place on the previous Sunday. The presentation of this generous donation was made by “Mesdames I. Lightstone, B. Landy, I. Sacker and M. Crook” on behalf of the Ladies’ Society members. The article states that the silversmith was “Mr A. Halpern, 22 Alie Street”. The synagogue President, Mr L. Cohen, “occupied the chair, supported by Mr A. Marks in the vice-chair” and after the meeting and evening services refreshments were enjoyed. The article states that Cohen offered his appreciation for the gift and that a vote was passed to thank the Ladies Society for “the interest they had in beautifying the synagogue.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis remarkable account not only serves as an excellent resource for the history of this menorah but also as a fascinating insight into the culture and practices of the congregation and organisational structure of the Great Garden Street Synagogue.\u003cbr\u003eDesigned by the architect Lewis Solomon (1848-1928) in 1895-6, the Great Garden Street\u003cbr\u003eSynagogue long served as the headquarters of the Federation of Synagogues between 1974 to 1992, demonstrating its centrality and importance within the organisation. The synagogue was demolished in that last decade, with the final services taking place in 1997. The building was adapted from another structure to become a synagogue, which explains why the Aron HaKodesh (Torah ark) was positioned in the west of the building rather than the east. The exterior was simple and the synagogue had minimal decoration in the interior compared with other 19th century synagogues, as was the Federation’s custom. The space contained a traditional rectangular Ashkenazi floor plan, with a centrally placed Bimah (platform from which the Torah scrolls are read) surrounded by pews and an upstairs gallery with iron columns for the women’s section. Prayer boards for the British Royal family and a pulpit from which sermons in English were given were also in place, with these inclusions reflecting the 19th and early 20th century initiative to integrate the migrant Jewish community into Anglo-Jewish culture. The architecture of Federation synagogues was modest in comparison with the United Synagogue and light poured in through a skylight rather than through windows, the view of the urban East End\u003cbr\u003eshielded from the congregants during prayer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne can imagine that the light from above would have beautifully illuminated the luster of this exquisite solid silver menorah. The menorah measures 80 x 97 cm, with the Sterling Silver British Hallmarks for 1902 clearly discernible on several parts of the menorah. The Maker's Mark is HA for Atkin Brothers and the Assay Mark corresponds with the London leopard. The menorah contains floral decorations, the circular base surrounded by patterns of leaves and flowers which similarly adorn the sconces, stem and branches. The sconces and lower branches detach and the base can be unscrewed from the stem. Atop the menorah is a gold gilded silver eagle standing upon a globe, with the silver hallmark included on one of its inner wings. Eagles in Jewish symbolism have a variety of attributes, with this bird often serving as a metaphorical aid for teachings in Tanach (the 24 books of the Hebrew Bible). A recurring theme is the eagle’s ability to soar heavenward and nest at great heights. The eagle is also associated with kingship, with prominent commentators such as Rashbam, Bekhor Shor, Rashi and Or HaHyim viewing the eagle’s natural characteristics as symbolising strength, power and leadership, with the Or HaHyim stating that the adult eagle represents God while its young represent the Children of Israel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis exceptional, striking menorah demonstrates the respect and sentiment felt towards the synagogue from the Ladies’ Society. During the time of the menorah’s dedication, the synagogue was less than 10 years old yet the nature and significance of such a gift demonstrates how important the synagogue was in the eyes of the community. Furthermore, the important charitable work that the Ladies’ Society provided for the community’s youth and their ability to donate such an impressive gift demonstrates their respectability and prominence in the Great Garden Street Synagogue. This menorah was intended for the festival of Chanukah, as detailed in the Jewish Chronicle article, with this also being signified through its eight branches and one shamesh (the flame and space used for lighting the other candles or wicks). With its beautiful designs, floral patterns, grand size, gold gilded silver eagle and remarkable history, this monumental menorah would have been a prized treasure in the collection of the Great Garden Street Synagogue and serves as a remarkable testimony to the importance the synagogue had and the honour bestowed upon it by the Ladies’ Society of this early 20th century London community.\u003c\/p\u003e"}