Rare 18th Century Judaica Shabbat/sabbath Brass Candelabra

Description An impressive brass candelabra made for the Jewish Sabbath. A crowned double-headed eagle screw seals between four baluster-form sconces and drip pans. A pair of lions flank the centre of the sinuous, rolled branches leading to a turned knopped stem featuring a trefoil scalloped drip pan. Stands upon a large splayed pedestal foot. The branches of the candelabra have been well worked to soften and round the edges, which gives a higher-quality three-dimensional finish; they exhibit beautiful engraved detailing with careful attention given to the lions. There are inscriptions in Hebrew on each side of the lion's bodies; when combined, they read “To light a Sabbath candle”, from the blessing recited over the Sabbath candles. Date & Origin 18th Century, Poland. Condition Wear commensurate with age, no tears or dings. Dimensions Height: 58cm Diameter: 40cm Documented Examples The Israel Museum, Jerusalem: https://www.imj.org.il/en/collections/530936-0 Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston: https://www.gardnermuseum.org/blog/shabbat-candlesticks-judaica-gothic-room Documented Examples These candles are traditionally lit on a Friday evening as Shabbat begins at sunset, lasting until sunset on Saturday. Serving as a day of rest, for family, study, and reflection, it is a foundational observance in Judaism, rooted in the biblical narrative of creation. Lions: In Jewish tradition, two lions often appear as heraldic symbols, representing the Lion of Judah (strength, leadership, and the royal tribe) and the Lion of Dan (physical courage), or sometimes two aspects of Jewish power, such as spiritual and physical. These lions are prominent in synagogue art, often flanking the Ark or the Tablets of the Covenant, and they also adorn Torah scrolls as symbols of dignity, strength, and resilience. Crowned Double-headed Eagle: The double-headed eagle, sometimes depicted with a crown, is not a symbol of a specific country within Jewish tradition but rather a widely adopted imperial emblem in various countries, such as the Byzantine Empire, the Habsburg Empire (Austria-Hungary), and Russia. Jewish communities sometimes used the double-headed eagle to show loyalty to these governments or as an emblem for synagogues.