DAVID PALOMBO BRUTALIST IRON & MOSAIC MENORAH MID CENTURY JUDAICA TUCSON ESTATE

Description

From a Catalina Foothills estate in Tucson is this mid century David Palumbo Hanukkah menorah, a lovely example which combines his signature brutalist iron work with mosaic art on both sides. The iron frame is hand hammered and black painted as typical, with a sculptural pricket at one end and the traditional eight (8) candle receptacles. Mosaic designs include a sort of fish shaped panel with an inscription. I have been informed the paleo Hebrew script  says "Beit Horon" or Beth Horon, and almost certainly  refers to the important early victory of Judah Maccabee over a Seleucid army at that place during the Maccabean Revolt. This rebellion ultimately resulted in the capture of Jerusalem and re-dedication of the Temple,  the exact commemorative reason for celebration and "Festival of Lights".  David Palombo (1920-1966) was born in Turkey and emigrated to Israel (then Palestine) in 1923. He began studies at the Bezazel Academy of Arts and Design in 1940, then becoming a student of sculpture with Ze'ev Ben-Zvi from 1942. David became especially adept in the combination of mosaic work and blackened wrought iron, which he utilized in crafting expressive and ever more abstract presentations at his Bet-Schiot studio on Mount Zion. Smaller more approachable works like this menorah are both viscerally pleasing objects and instantly recognizable in their artistry.  Major sculptural achievements, which include the gates to the memorial building at Yad Veshem and the highly symbolic "Court Gates" of the Knesset,  demonstrate the profoundly expressive power of his vision. David was killed when his motorbike hit a chain barrier on the way to his studio in 1966. He had just been awarded a United Nations scholarship to study in Japan. The exceedingly tragic event provides a firm terminal dating for this iconic and ultimately useable artwork. Condition is quite fine with a nice aura of time to the surfaces, those well preserved. The mosaic art is all there and as crafted - the  pricket and feet are ready for generations of further display and service. There is a bit of missing black paint on the hammered candle pricket, about a third of the way down from the tip - surface toning on the metal shows this is not recent and that exposed iron shows no other relevant issues (see photos).  I'm not sure what caused this and the menorah certainly served just so in more recent times - that said, it is there.  There are usual and expected signs of treasured display and previous holiday service (small remnants of candle wax and the like), here simply validating a history. A look at those photos will give a good idea of appearance and condition - if you already know what this is, no more need be said. Size is about 14 7/8 in. horizontal and 3 1/8 in. vertical not counting the pricket. The pricket adds about 2 3/8 in. . Whether you believe form should follow function or vice versa, and especially if viewed from a place of personal faith, this will have great meaning for you
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