For your consideration is a rare, miniature antique brass Chanukah menorah (Hanukkiah) from the North African Sephardic tradition. Measuring approximately 5.5 inches tall by 7 inches wide, this heavy, hand-poured brass lamp was designed for both wall-hanging and tabletop use.

The backplate features traditional Moorish-inspired openwork with a central pierced rosette and arched gateways. This specific example features a horizontally integrated Shamash (servant light) extending from the right side of the oil reservoir—a hallmark of authentic period designs from the Maghreb region. The lamp contains eight traditional pinched oil fonts for use with olive oil and wicks. I have seen a number of reproductions of this style menorah on the market. In determining this piece to be authentic, I note the following:

1. The Casting Texture (The "Back" Evidence): Modern reproductions (post-1950s) are often made using "lost wax" or high-pressure molds that result in a relatively uniform, smooth surface. This piece shows uneven pitting and granular sand-texture, which is the hallmark of old-world sand-casting.

2. Horizontal Shamash Placement: Many later reproductions moved the Shamash to a more "balanced" or centralized position to appeal to Western aesthetics. The horizontal, right-side placement is a very traditional Sephardic/Moroccan configuration that was frequently lost in modern iterations.

3. Oxidation & "Verdigris" Traces: The deep, chocolatey-brown patina in the recessed areas of the piercing isn't just "dirty"—it’s a century of oxidation. You can see subtle, genuine darkening that is very difficult to fake with chemical "aging" solutions, which usually look "smeared" or too uniform.

4. Hand-Finished Piercing: If you look closely at the edges of the rosette, they aren't perfectly symmetrical. You can see slight variations where the metal was likely filed by hand after it was pulled from the sand mold to clean up the edges. Reproductions are usually much cleaner and "colder" in their geometry.

• Origin: Morocco / North Africa

• Period: Late 19th Century (c. 1870–1890)

• Material: Solid Hand-Cast Brass

• Condition: Excellent Antique Condition. This piece is exceptionally well-preserved with no repairs or restorations. The dark, aged patina is original and untouched. The reverse exhibits the characteristic rough texture and "casting flash" of authentic 19th-century sand-casting. All eight fonts and the side-mounted Shamash are intact.

Item dimensions: 5 5/8" tall × 7 1/8" wide × 2" deep  

Weight of item: 1 lb 7 oz

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