Brass Judaica Candle Holder

Is this a Judaica piece?
Any suggestions on age and country of origin?
Thanks

 

If you were thinking menorah, there are 2 fewer branches than one should have.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menorah_(Hanukkah)

 

What do you mean? Don't they have 7 branches Menorah?

 

Nope. 8 candles for the 8 nights plus the 1 that lights all the others.

 

But it could possibly be a Shabbat candleholder. The seven branch candelabra is a symbol of the temple in Judaism. And is also called a menorah (I had to double check this before editing but I was sure at the time it wasn't just for Chanukah.)

If I recall, Jewish metal workers made a lot of these after emigrating from Eastern Europe to the Lower East Side post 1900. Again, without any kind of marking or symbol, it could be from anywhere, anytime.

 

It is a 7 branch Temple menorah (or candelabra) and is the symbol of Israel.

 

No clue when or where it was made.

 

Is my face red! I am so embarrassed to have taken such a strong position, when I was obviously mistaken.

 

We all make mistakes and this is one of those esoteric items that is probably not widely discussed outside of the religion as I'd bet that most non Jews think of menorahs as Chanukah menorahs but menorah just means candelabra and the Chanukah or 9 branch menorah is only used for that specific holiday.

 

Hi Susan,
Listen we all do that at times. I always used Menorah for 9 branches and Shabbat
for the 7 branchs. Having a lot of Jewish friends I did not know the difference either.
Now if only I can retain this.
greg