Spice Tower (Besamim)

Unknown

ca. 1900 · Silver · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

The spice tower (or besamim) in used during the Havdalah, a Jewish ritual that marks the end of the holy Sabbath, in which a special candle and spice essence are used for blessing, and the spice smelling is perceived as enhancing the Jewish spirit after the pleasantry of the Shabbat before returning to daily routine. Such spice containers exist in a variety of shapes and designs. The present tower form is the first example to enter to Met’s collection.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1900

Medium

Silver

Culture

Russian

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Gift of David T. Mininberg and Anne W. Mininberg, in memory of Frances H. Wikler, 2013