Auction 34
Lot 064:
From a synagogue in London. Round glass base, decorated with brass decorations and figurines of cherubs on three sides (from which three chains were attached for hanging the menorah). At the top is a Star of David. Plaques of brass carved in the shape of Ir David, the Kotel, and one of our Foremothers (probably an addition by the synagogue rather than the original artist). Originally designed for use with gas, which required special building permission back then (see below). Later it was redesigned for use with electricity, so the bottom part was removed. Stamped: “Farady & Son Makers London”. A museum-worthy item from London. Weight: 1258g. Diameter: 26cm. Height: 21cm.
Safety certification was required by the London government for any gas lamp, and this one is approved and stamped by: “Sir D. Salomons’s Patent.”—Sir David Salomons was the first Jewish mayor of London, as well as a Member of Parliament and being responsible for gas certifications for the government.
Sir David Salomon (1797-1873) was a British-Jewish banker and activist in the struggle for Jewish emancipation in Britain. He was the first Jew to hold the position of Lord Mayor of London and one of the first two Jews to serve in the British Parliament. He also served as the first Jew in a number of government positions: magistrate, Sherriff of London. In 1851 he was elected in a by-election for the House of Commons as a representative of the Liberal Party for the Greenwich district, but after a demonstration and struggle he was forced to resign from the position, since he would not swear allegiance using the Christian oath of the time. After the law was amended, he was again elected to Parliament for Greenwich, and in 1855 he was elected Lord Mayor, which he served as until 1856. He then remained a member of Parliament until he died. He was active in Jewish and social issues and he fought to get equal rights for Jews in the local and national government. He was active in the Committee for Community Representatives and served frequently as the interim President in place of Moses Montefiore.
Share this lot:
