Nassau County, NY – A rare Ukrainian menorah that sold to a private collector for a six figure sum is just one of many historic menorahs that have passed through the only auction house in the United States that specializes in antique Judaica.
Subscribe to our Daily Roundup Email
According to Jonathan Greenstein, owner of J. Greenstein & Co. in Cedarhurst, the silver menorah featured detailed flowers and animals, with sliding oil drawers in the form of winged griffons. The menorah sold to a private collector for $100,000 at Greenstein’s November 23rd auction.
The 47 year old Greenstein began his career in the antique Judaica business at age 14.
“Other boys were collecting baseball cards,” Greenstein told VIN News. “I was collecting art.”
Greenstein said that his auction house sells close to 500 menorahs annually, with people routinely bringing him their menorahs in the hopes that he will buy them. Greenstein estimates that there are only about 700 antique Judaica collectors.
“Some have been buying for the last 30 years and they develop these beautiful collections,” remarked Greenstein.
The most expensive menorah he has ever sold? A silver German menorah, circa 1716, that went for a record $500,000 approximately six years ago.
According to Greenstein, most antique menorahs are made out of silver or brass.
“Only the wealthier people bought silver,” said Greenstein. “The not yet wealthy did brass or other metals.”
Greenstein defines antique menorahs as anything pre-World War II. European menorahs that survived the war are considered to be extremely rare since most silver Judaica in Nazi controlled areas was seized, melted down and sold for scrap value.
Over the years Greenstein says he has had some extremely beautiful menorahs.
“We sold a silver filigree menorah made in 1812 in what is known as the Baal Shem Tov style for about $30,000,” said Greenstein. “We have another magnificent menorah on sale at the gallery from Zhitomir, in the Ukraine, from the 1850’s.”
Greenstein said that he expects that menorah, which is flanked by a pair of streetlights, to bring over $200,000 at his upcoming February auction.
In an interview with Varney & Co. on Fox Business News, Greenstein described one of his more unique menorahs which is in the shape of an eight headed mythical Greek monster. Known as the “Hydra menorah,” the menorah was created in 1840 by an artist in Altenberg, Germany. Greenstein said he expects the menorah to sell for approximately $50,000 to $75,000.
Greenstein noted that with art sales hitting record numbers, antiques have become a solid investment.
“People talk about investing in the stock market, investing in real estate but when you invest in art, not only do you have the return, which is incredible over the course of ten years, but you also have something tangible to look at and use for ten to fifteen years.”
