Ascalon Menorah

Upon completing his master's degree in industrial design from Pratt Institute in 2005, Brad Ascalon was recognized by Wallpaper* magazine as one of the "Ten Most Wanted" emerging designers in the world. Ascalon grew up immersed in a world of art and design, and his chosen career is a nod to his father and grandfather, the latter of which founded a metal arts manufacturing company in Israel in the late 1930s. "He designed hundreds of decorative objects," says Ascalon, "including dozens of menorahs. In fact, one piece he designed is in the permanent collection at the Jewish Museum." Ascalon's father also designs menorahs, but not for tabletops. Rather, he produces one-of-a-kind, large-scale permanent art installations for synagogues around North America. When Ascalon approached DWR to see if we'd be interested in producing his first menorah design, we enthusiastically agreed. The result is an elegant design crafted out of solid Carrara marble. "Stylistically, the design finds itself in an interesting niche," says Ascalon, "visually modern with an unexplainable classic undertone. The eight facets correspond to the eight days of Chanukah, and the left and right diagonals create an 18-degree angle. In Judaism, 18 is a very important number symbolizing chai, or life." A kosher design, the Ascalon Menorah (2011) has eight candleholders arranged in a straight line on one level, and one shamash (the candle used to light the others) on a different level. Made in China.

• This menorah is part of the permanent collection at the National Museum of American Jewish History.
• Handpicked by Oprah for her 2011 "Favorite Things" issue of O, The Oprah Magazine .
• Comes with 45 hand-dipped, six-inch white candles that burn clean and bright for more than one hour.

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