Hanukkah Menorah, designed in 1935/38; executed in 1980 (WHW Mod. 1130)

This Hanukkah menorah was designed by the sculptor and designer Franz Hagenauer (1906–1986) between 1935 and 1938. Like many objects from Hagenauer’s workshop, however, the design was only executed decades later in 1980. With its highly reduced form language, the menorah is part of an entire group of candlesticks made from (partly nickel-plated) brass tubes, which recall the esthetics of the tubular steel furniture produced by the Bauhaus. Thus, these designs by Hagenauer are akin to those created by Ludwig Mies van der Rohes (1886–1969), Mart Stams (1899–1986) and Marcel Breuers (1902–1981). The candelabrum has nine branches, holding the eight lights and helper candle, which are lit to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.

MR, 2023