A French silver synagogue eternal lamp, Maurice Mayer, Paris, circa 1855

baluster form, chased and applied with rococo ornament and with a lower band of shells and acanthus, engraved with a Hebrew inscription, openwork coronet-form rim, scroll supports for the chain: chain of acanthus form attached to a coronet-form canopy, chains plated and canopy lining probably plated

repaired at drop, the hollow supports with bruises and one resoldered, coronet rim with four small repairs to backs of leaves, minor signs of dent removal throughout
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The inscription reads "Dedicated to the memory of Abraham Kanoui."

Abraham Kanoui (1836-1897) of Algiers was the brother of Simon Kanoui, president of the Consistoire of Oran for many years.

Maurice Mayer, who proudly signed himself "Goldsmith to Emperor Napoleon III,"  was born in 1801, established his firm in 1839, and registered his own mark in 1846.  He was working then at 20 rue Vivienne, but later signs himself at 362 rue St. Honoré, and in 1870 at 18 rue Lafayette.  In 1844 he won a silver medal at the "Exposition des produits de l'industrie," where he showed a race cup from a model by Klagmann, offered by James de Rothschild as a prize for the Jockey Club in 1836 (Anne Dion-Tenenbaum, Orfèvrerie française du XIXe siècle: La Collection du Musée du Louvre, p. 157).  He showed at the Exposition of 1849, a mounted carved ivory cup, was named "Fournissuer de l'Empereur" in 1853, and contributed again to the Exhibition Universelle, Paris, in 1855.  The Consistoire of Paris has three Torah shields and a pair of finials by Mayer (Klagsbald, op. cit., nos. 32, 40, and 43).  Additionally, an Omer Calendar with his mark is in the collection of the Skirball Museum, illustrated New Beginnings, plate 24, p. 44.