Bronze Hanukkah Lamp

In this grand hanukkiah, German-born artist Benno Elkan depicted the five Maccabean brothers (left to right) Eliezer, Jonathan, Judah, Simeon, and Jochanan.

Benno Elkan

This hanukkiah depicts Judah Maccabee, shown holding a hammer, flanked by his brothers, Jonathan (as philosopher) and Simeon (as a king). The two lowest figures are Eliezer and Jochanan, two other brothers killed in battle. The hammer that Judah holds comes from the incorrect association of the Hebrew word for hammer with Maccabee.

Name: Bronze Hanukkah Lamp
Artist: Benno Elkan
Location:
Origin: Germany, Early 20th Century
Medium: Bronze
Dimensions: 26 1/4 x 31 x 8 1/4 in.
Credit: Gift of Georgette Grosz Spertus from the Maurice Spertus Collection
Catalog Number: 68.1.89