An Italian Chanukah lamp made in Padua about 1750 sold for $11,000 to a New York dealer at auction yesterday at Christie’s New York. Pre-sale estimate had been between $3000 and $4000. The lamp, which is slightly more than 13 inches high, is elaborately chased with shells, foliage, scrolls, and husks. It was one of five Italian pieces in a sale of English, Continental and American silver.
An Italian parcel-gilt Sabbath lamp, made about 1780, 28 inches high, went for $2860. Another piece of Judaica was a menorah which was made in London in the early part of this century and went for $770, above the pre-sale estimate of $300 to $500. Anthony Phillips, Christie’s silver specialist, says that 18th Century Judaica is rare and is increasing in value.
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