Hanukkah Lamp

The backplate shows the lighting of the lamp by the Temple priest. Along the bottom of the lamp in medallions are symbols from the Temple facade adapted from ancient coins, including pomegranates, a menorah, a harp, grapes and a date palm tree. A phrase from the Al Ha-nisim prayer is inscribed above: “They kindled the lights in the courtyards of thy sanctuary and established these eight days of Hanukkah.” The central scene is bracketed by children wearing garlands playing cymbals.