Bidspirit auction | Impressive Silver Peacock Chanukkiya by

Impressive Silver Peacock Chanukkiya by Conraetz Wilhelm. Vienna-Austria 1872-1886 - Impressive silver Hanukkah Menorah, handcrafted silversmithing from the 19th century. Hallmarked several times on all its parts.  This Chanukkiya is known as the Peacock Chanukkiya since the peacock spreading its beautiful tail is the central motif of this Menorah. This motif draws the attention to the Mitzvah of publishing the miracle of Hanukkah just as the peacock publishis its beautiful feathers.  The back of the Chanukkiya is two-dimensional in the form of a peacock displayed within a draped arch, topped by a crown.  Quality hammering handcrafted by a Viennese silversmith of the 19th century. The Chanukkiya is hallmarked with 'C.W.'  referring to the Viennese silversmith Conraetz Wilhelm, who operated in the second half of the 19th century until 1886. Hallmark of Vienna from the late 19th century also appears several times, including on the original Shamash.  A similar Chanukkiya was sold by Sotheby's in December 2016, lot 264, for $15,000.  See:  Susan L. Braunstein, Luminous Art, Hanukkah Menorahs of the Jewish Museum, New York, 2004. Lot 39.