Hanukkiah

Origin: John Cogswell, American
Date: 1999
Medium: Silver
Ackland Fund
2000.2

Hanukka, the Jewish “Festival of Lights,” celebrates the legendary rededication of the holy temple in Jerusalem in 165 B.C.E. after its desecration. To remember this event, a candle is lit on each night of the holiday and placed in a special candleholder called a hanukkiah. Hanukkiahs, such as this one in the Ackland, have room for nine candles: one for each night of the festival and an extra one used to kindle the others.