Silver Havdalah tray from Central Europe

This tray brought together the objects of the Havdalah ceremony, the rite that marks the close of Shabbat and separates sacred from profane time through blessings over wine, spices, and flame. Its three essential implements are the cup of wine, the spice box (bessamim) whose fragrance is inhaled, and the braided multi-wick candle. In Central Europe, silversmiths united these implements into a matching chased set, presented on a single silver tray for domestic celebration. The object illustrates the aesthetic care devoted to this rite of Shabbat's conclusion in the Ashkenazic home.