Jews and friends-of-the-Jews alike: Mark your calendars for December 14 for the start of Hanukkah.
If you’ve been a Schmatta subscriber for a while, you know our plight: Good design + Judaica is a combo we don’t often find. But things are looking up this year. So, I’ve assembled a list of the best menorahs on the internet, this year with some truly, truly dope vintage contenders (just prep yourself on the prices).
Let’s get started…
Vintage Menorahs
From left to right:
Svend Aage Holm Sørensen Steel & Brass Menorah
In case you’re wondering what’s up with the 7-candle menorah vs. the usual 9, it’s called a “temple menorah” and pre-dates the Hanukkah menorah, and well, technically isn’t really used for Hanukkah but we’re just going to bend the rules a bit here.
Luigi Del Monte Postmodern Menorah
Featured in the MoMa catalog and design store, winter 2000. Y2K babes, this one is for you.
Wonky-donky Star of David serving off-kilter klezmer vibes.
Chain Link Menorah France Circa 1950s
Welcome to my Hanukkah orgy den!!!
Mid Century Modern Sterling Plated Menorah
Not much to say, but it cute.
Ludwig: V. cool artist credited as one of the first to do Judaica in modernist styles.
Hans Hollein 1970s Sterling Silver Menorah
****By a postmodern Austrian architect and clearly the sickest design on this list****
1990s Menorah With Colorblock Panels
Queue up the Debbie Friedman CD!
Who knew? In the ‘80s, Salvador Dali produced a large-scale version of this piece, on display at Tel Aviv’s airport. He also created a limited run of “Peace Menorahs” — v. rare, v. expensive indeed.
Yaacov Agram 1970s Gold Menorah
In Paris’s “business district” known as La Défense, Agram designed the fountain (not the arch). He’s also the maker of this $10k menorah. GIT IT!
Non-Vintage Menorahs aka New
Non-Vintage Menorahs aka New
Don’t sleep on the banorah https://kikkerland.com/products/banorah