1850 Antique Ukrainian Sugar Box or Etrog Box 12 Loth Sterling Silver
$1,500.00
This solid 12 loth judaic silver (maybe sterling silver) octagonal sugar box or etrog box was produced in Germany or Ukraine ca. 1850 (perhaps a bit earlier) made by an unidentified silversmith. Fantastic ball feet with foliate embellishments. Egg and dart band frames the upper edge of the box. A superb panel with a winged angel driving a chariot of horse graces the top. At each of the front and two sides is an applied eagle holding an egg atop a nest of laurels. Cyrillic initials on the front. This silver chest went to auction in 2004 at Freeman's.
The elements of this chest are all deeply symbolic. The eagle is for power. The egg and dart pattern is a classic motif symbolizing the balance of life and death. The three drawn horses led by a cherubim represents the holy thrown of God in the Midrashic tradition. Taken together, one could interpret the box to symbolize the power of God in our lives and the noble balance of life and death within the kingdom. Store your etrogim during sukkot in a box that befits the fruit!
Historically, an etrog box like this belonged to a European family for whom it would have been among their most cherished possessions owing to the very costly and rare nature of the fruit it was meant to protect and the scarcity of the silver. Nestled with utmost care in flax fibers, the fresh fruit would have been preserved. This family probably carried their etrog box on the long journey to the United States with their Shabbos candlesticks and Havdalah spice box.
Dimensions: 4" x 4" x 5.5"
Weight: 552 grams
Conservative condition report: The lock is intact but no key is present to test the mechanism. Slight splitting at the metal of the hinge tubes. Signs of repair to top panel including solder which causes slight discoloration of the metal.
Check out some of my other antiques here:
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The elements of this chest are all deeply symbolic. The eagle is for power. The egg and dart pattern is a classic motif symbolizing the balance of life and death. The three drawn horses led by a cherubim represents the holy thrown of God in the Midrashic tradition. Taken together, one could interpret the box to symbolize the power of God in our lives and the noble balance of life and death within the kingdom. Store your etrogim during sukkot in a box that befits the fruit!
Historically, an etrog box like this belonged to a European family for whom it would have been among their most cherished possessions owing to the very costly and rare nature of the fruit it was meant to protect and the scarcity of the silver. Nestled with utmost care in flax fibers, the fresh fruit would have been preserved. This family probably carried their etrog box on the long journey to the United States with their Shabbos candlesticks and Havdalah spice box.
Dimensions: 4" x 4" x 5.5"
Weight: 552 grams
Conservative condition report: The lock is intact but no key is present to test the mechanism. Slight splitting at the metal of the hinge tubes. Signs of repair to top panel including solder which causes slight discoloration of the metal.
Check out some of my other antiques here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/neurorocker?section_id=6783279
Or just browse around the shop!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/neurorocker