Hanukkah Lamp

The main decorative component of the backplate is a seven-branch menorah. Some lamps of this type also have the word "Hanukkah" in Hebrew, written large, which often overwhelms the menorah. Both elements are made up of a series of small raised dots, created by dapping, or hammering from the reverse. The use of this technique on Hanukkah lamps to form the design elements appears to have flourished in the nineteenth century, as exemplified by a dapped lamp in the collection dated 1865. Dapping in Dutch sheet metal may date back to the late eighteenth century, as shown by a match/spill box.