Spice Box

Origin: Eastern European
Date: Mid-19th century
Medium: Nickel-plated brass
Gift of Elizabeth F. Gervais-Gruen in honor of the marriage of her son S. Daniel Gruen and Sharon Timian
2001.5.2

Like the Kiddush cup, the spice box is part of Sabbath worship in the home. On Saturday after sunset the Havdala [separation] ceremony ends the Sabbath, and smelling the sweet spices in the box helps provide a gentle transition from the festive Sabbath to the ordinary routine of the weekday. A spice box is usually made of perforated metal so that the odor of the spices inside can come out, but the boxes vary widely in size and shape.

The overall shape of this small spice box suggests a chest or casket for precious substances. The interior is particularly interesting because it shows a man performing the Havdala ceremony. He stands facing a table with a candle on it, the Havdala candle that is lit to mark the end of the Sabbath prohibition on kindling fire. He holds a wine cup in his right hand and a spice box in his left. The candle and tabletop can be removed to put spices in the box.