19/20th Century Russian Spice Tower

Item Details

A 19/20th century sterling silver filigree spice tower, presumably Russian, with flag pendants and a tapered spire. The six sided tower has a hinged door over dangling bells and a cage style base with further filigree, cast lions in gold wash at each of the four sides and paw feet. The tower is not marked but was tested to be 92.5 sterling silver.
According to rabbinic legend, each Jewish person receives a special soul (neshama yetera) on the Sabbath. As this extra spiritual dimension departs from the body at the close of the Sabbath, one is overcome with a certain degree of sorrow. The spices are interpreted as a means of comfort at the moment of transition to the new week. As it was customary in ancient times to welcome the Sabbath with branches of myrtle, so during the service to usher out the Sabbath ‘the Havdalah ceremony’ people inhaled the fragrances of their branches. In the course of generations, aromatic spices (most popularly cinnamon and cloves in Ashkenazi communities) began to replace the myrtle.

• The total approximate weight inclusive of all non-metal materials is 6.47 ozt.
• This item has been evaluated and verified by an independent Graduate Gemologist (CINSSM).

Condition

The tower is missing one bell and the spire is missing the pendant

Dimensions

• The total approximate weight inclusive of all non-metal materials is 6.47 ozt.

Item #

17DCC024-652