Tonight—at sundown—begins the Jewish observance of Passover. It will last through eight nights, ending at sunset on Sunday 20 April (which, this year, happens to be Easter Sunday). The first two nights of Passover usually receive the greatest attention with families preparing seder meals. Passover commemorates an event (as relayed in The Book of Exodus) which happened while the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt. God sent The Angel of Death to Egypt who was to kill all the first borns—human and animal. Believers were instructed to slaughter and eat a lamb and (importantly) mark their doorframes with its blood. As the angel performed his assignment, he would pass-over those homes which were thus marked, sparing those people.
Passover candles customarily are lighted by the eldest woman in the household (as is the practice with the weekly Sabbath). And candlesticks of all varieties are used.
For the next few days, we will be sharing some of our candlesticks, currently in-stock at LEO Design. Happy Passover!
The brass candlesticks shown above are English Aesthetic Movement from the Late Victorian period. They seem to have been inspired by Dr. Christopher Dresser, an early Modernist designer (highly active in the 1870's and 1880's). They are not too tall—a bit under 6 inches—though they hold standard taper candlesticks. Thus they are handy on tight tables where large candlesticks might be an obstruction or take-up too much table space. Click on the photo above to learn more about them.
More handsome candlesticks tomorrow and in the days to come.
Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
To arrange a visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only), please call 917-446-4248.