Today is the start of the holiday/present season at my house. It is my oldest son’s birthday—he’s 13. Not sure how that happened. But so begins the onslaught of material consumption. Chanukah is in three days. Before I go to bed I’m going to pull out our menorahs so I can start chipping away at last year’s wax drippings (unless by some miracle—’tis the season after all—I cleaned them before returning to the velvet boxes last December.)
We have a few menorahs: the electric one all Jews grew up with, that goes in the window; beautiful modular ones from MoMA that my mother-in-law gave us; a traditional “Tree of LIfe”; a more contemporary version of the tree, from a friend as a wedding gift; a cute metal train I purchased for the boys when they were little; and an artisan-made wrought iron menorah, also from my mother-in-law (who’s not even Jewish by the way, but loves to participate).
There are a number of modern menorahs available, some by Israeli artists, others by contemporary Jewish architects and designers (Jonathan Adler, he’s a Jew). Here are 31 of my best modern menorah finds.
For years I’ve adored the Lucite pretzel knot candlesticks by Dorothy Thorpe—a decade ago I had stashed a tear that features one prominently, and I still have it. I think it’s the ultimate modern candelabra. Lately I’ve been interested in brass candelabra with joints, as well as simple Danish candlesticks in teak or painted wood. There are tons of newer, contemporary ones too, like Muuto’s green raw wood candelabra and the chunky chrome or glass tubular pieces that refer back to the ’70s. Following up on yesterday’s Montage: 44 Rooms with Candlesticks & Candelabra, here’s a shopping guide for 65 modern candlesticks and modern candelabra.
S H O P P I N G
1 Festive Candelabra by Natalie Rutard for Philippi Design, 99€ at Connox.
2 Light Runner Wood Candle Holder by Marie Thurnauer, $79AUD at Vincent2.
3 Muuto Raw Candelabra in Hand-Sawed Wood, $250 at A+R.
4 Agnes Table Candelabra by Lindsey Adelman, $1,500 at The Future Perfect.
5 Polished Horn Candle Holder, $48 at Jayson Home.
6 Candlestrip Candle Holder by Design Glut, $30 at A+R.
7 Mistic Mini Candlabra by Arik Levy for Gaia & Gino, $259 at Switch Modern.
8 Nick and the Candlestick in Brass by Lindsey Adelman, $1,200 at Matter.
9 Empathy for Las Vegas Neon Borosilicate Glass Candlesticks by Cat Merrick.
10 Met Candlestick by Hans Harald Rath, $530 at Moss.
11 BJÖRKEFALL Candlestick Holder in Black, $5.99 at IKEA.
