Menorah with Eight Branches – Tiered Base with Dedication: “Gewidmet vom J.J.B Plauen” – “Dedicated by J.J.B Plauen (a city in Germany).” Germany, Early 20th Century.
In Plauen, a significant Jewish community developed at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The community consisted mainly of native German Jews and Jews from Poland who came to the city in search of work. During this time, the Zionist movement gained momentum among Jews in Germany, especially after the First Zionist Congress in Basel in 1897.
The menorah appeared in illustrations and symbols of the Zionist movement from the late 19th century. It symbolized the connection between the Jewish past (the Holy Temple) and aspirations for an independent Jewish future in the Land of Israel. Zionist youth movements and Jewish organizations, such as “Maccabi” and others, used the menorah in their symbols as a reminder of Jewish heritage.
It is likely that the dedication on the base refers to one of the Zionist organizations active in Plauen (such as “Hashomer Hatzair” or “HaPoel HaMizrachi”), since there is a clear similarity between this menorah and the seven-branched menorah that was later chosen as the symbol of the State of Israel.
Height: 26 cm. Length: 22 cm. One branch is missing and has been replaced. Good condition.
