Hanukkah lamp

This form of this Hanukkah lamp is reminiscent of a flowerbed cross-section and the iridescent, varying shades of the yellow glaze serve to underscore its organic character. Eight flowers appear to emerge from a rectangular clump of earth, their stems overlapping in places and culminating in a row of tulip-shaped oil receptacles, seven of which still have the original wick holders.

This Hanukkah lamp was produced by the Jewish ceramicist Lea Halpern (1899–1985). Halpern was celebrated in her lifetime as the Van Gogh of potters, on account of the vivid colors and expressive forms of her work. In addition to objects of everyday use, Halpern designed ceramic Jewish ritual objects, which were integrated in the design of the synagogue on Carpentierstraat in Den Haag, opened in 1937. It appears that this Hanukkah lamp may be the only ritual object made by Halpern that has survived.