Cypriot Decorative Objects

This Marble Shabbat Candlestick from Cyprus made in 1948-49 holds important historical significance. During that period, Cyprus served as a significant transit point for Jewish immigrants en route to Israel, particularly after World War II and during the struggle for Israeli independence. During World War II the British enacted a policy known as the White Paper of 1939 that contained strict quotas for Jews who attempted to immigrate to Palestine. During the 1940s, camps were set up in Cyprus by the British government for the internment of Jews who violated this policy. Repeated requests to lift the immigration restrictions to save European Jews from certain death were ignored, and untold lives were lost. After the war ended, the British still enforced the White Paper, and Cyprus became home to thousands of Holocaust survivors caught trying to enter Palestine. Once again, Jews were kept under armed guard and behind barbed wire Life was not easy for the Jews held in Cyprus, living conditions were below that of German prisoners of war, as standards for POWs were set by the Geneva Conventions. Since there were no precepts for civilian prisoners, these European Jews were treated worse than their captured German oppressors. During the years the camps of Cyprus were in operation, approximately 50,000 people were imprisoned and thousands of children were born. Between 1948 and 1949, artistic detainees developed a unique genre of Judaica. From the local stone found on the grounds of the camp, a range of objects was carved, sometimes bearing motifs of tents, symbolizing the life of the interned. These objects were usually inscribed in Hebrew with the word "Kafrisin" (Cyprus) This marble candlestick is one of those items. "Shabbat Shalom" flanks a Star of David with "Kafrisin" in its center, with two holes at the top for wicks and oil. The candlestick itself symbolizes resilience and continuity amidst upheaval. Marble, a durable and beautiful material, contrasts with the uncertainty and challenges faced by Jewish communities during that era. Even after the establishment of the State of Israel on May 14, 1948, the British government continued to hold 8,000 Jewish men of military age and 3,000 of their wives, in order to prevent them from joining the 1948 Arab-Israel War, known by Israelis as the War of Independence. In February 1949, the British government decided to recognize the State of Israel, and all prisoners in the Cyprus camps were released. Owning such an artifact connects one directly to the Jewish historical narrative of migration, survival, and the eventual establishment of Israel. It serves as a tangible reminder of the challenges faced and overcome by Jewish communities during one of the most pivotal periods in modern Jewish history. Literature taken from the Book, "Jewish Antiques...

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