An exceptional, highly rare 19th-century Continental Judaica Havdalah Besamim (spice tower). Constructed with a hand-carved bone cylindrical body, it features fine incised scrimshaw-style ink embellishments depicting floral sprays and two distinct ribbon banners with Hebrew inscriptions. The bone body houses a hinged floral embossed metal door with a functional latch, opening to reveal the spice chamber.

The structure is framed by brass/bronze lower tripod legs and an engraved silver metal upper collar set with three hanging bells. The dome is elaborately hand-repoussé worked with roses and leaves, pierced with fragrance vent holes, and crowned by a tall finial bearing a hand-hammered pennant flag. Suspended underneath the base is a chain-mounted bucket with floral repoussé motif.

Dimensions: 9" Height x 3" Base Width (Leg Span)
Weight: 5.2 oz (147.4 grams)
Materials: Carved Natural Bone, Silver (Dome, Door, Flag, & Bells), Brass (Base Legs & Band Collar)
Origin & Age
Origin: Continental Europe (likely Russian Empire / Eastern Europe)
Age: Circa 1880–1899 (Late 19th Century)

Condition Very Good Antique Condition. The untouched, original aged patina is preserved across all metal components. Bone cylinder exhibits natural, age-appropriate surface mellowing, micro-cracks, and light surface wear consistent with age. Metal door latch remains functional. All hanging bells and suspended bottom bucket are intact and original to the piece.

Reference
Book Title: Jewish Ceremonial Art and Religious Observances
Author: Abram Kanof
Reference: Chapter on Havdalah Implements & Spice Containers (Besamim Towers), pp. 162–165. (Discusses architectural tower forms, hanging bells, pennant flags, and mixed-medium bone/metal construction).

Authenticity Assessment This besamim exhibits all classic markers of 19th-century Eastern European Judaica silver and mixed-metal ceremonial objects. The bone body shows authentic natural Haversian canal structures, slight yellowing, and minor age-related stress fractures rather than modern cast synthetic lines. Construction features hand-punched zigzag ("tremolo") bright-cut engraving on the brass upper collar, hand-riveted assembly at the tripod leg joints, and hand-chased repoussé work on the floral door and dome. The Hebrew ink inscriptions within the scrimshawed banners demonstrate period-appropriate hand calligraphy with natural ink oxidation.

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