Banana-shaped menorahs, menorahs made from bicycle gears, lineups of nail polish pots menorahs. For years the marketplace has been flooded with creative options for celebrating Hanukkah. Now, we’re happy to report, there are handmade, soulful options out there, too: designs made for the Jewish Festival of Lights—which takes place this year from Sunday, December 18 to Monday, December 26—but also for other occasions that call for candles. Here are five examples made by ceramic artists who produce annual limited-edition menorahs that sell out—so if you miss the one you’re after this year, follow these creators and be at the ready next year. (N.B.: Stay tuned for the Hip Hanukkah Table later this week.)
Above: Tucson ceramicist Andrea Kashanipour (@artnacky) makes her Tree & Bird Menorahs exclusively for Nickey Kehoe in LA. No two exactly alike; $400. Photograph by Hannah McKeown courtesy of Nickey Kehoe. Above: The Rachael Pots Clay Menorah (@RachaelPotsCeramics) is composed of nine hand-thrown, linked bottles that Rachael says “remind us of the single oil bottle or cask from the story of Hanukkah.” It’s $210 in four glaze options from the Brooklyn ceramic artist’s own studio; it’s also available from Food52.
Above: The stoneware JST X B. Zippy Menorah is from Judaica Standard Time (@judaicastandardtime), an online shop that “explores the space between faith and design.” It’s shown here in chartreuse; $200.
Above: The JST X B. Zippy Menorah, shown here in terracotta. A collaboration with LA artist Bari Ziperstein, the menorah is modular and designed to be displayed in a range of configurations. Of its “functional spiritual objects,” JST writes: “Judaism plays a part, but it is not the whole story. We hope these pieces can transcend religion and find a place in the spaces of all people.” Above: The Swey Menorah is by Brooklyn ceramic artist and annual menorah maker Virginia Sin (@virginiasin_). It’s shown in white and is also available in speckled and black from Sin; $200. The Swey is also currently on sale in black and speckled for $140 from Lulu and Georgia. Above: In her new Portland, Maine, studio, Ariela Nomi Kuh of ANK Ceramics (@a_n_k_ceramics) makes tableware and much-anticipated menorahs in editions of one, priced from $300 to $350. In the weeks leading up to Hanukkah, Ariela often replenishes her online shop. Photograph by Meredith Brockington courtesy of ANK Ceramics.
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