Hill notes that this might be a reference to the hiding of the Hanukkah lamp to protect it from desecration.

A second new work, an idiosyncratic Hanukkah lamp designed by the American artist Matthew McCaslin, takes renewed life as its theme.

Squirmy and bright, it takes its place alongside the museum's permanent display of antique Hanukkah lamps and adds its own festive, switched-on touch.

"We have a Hanukkah lamp from Australia that has an emu on it," said Rachel Katz, the museum's manager of family programs.

Also on view through Sunday, a display of more than 50 Hanukkah lamps from the 16th century.

Other property was held in the Barbados Museum, including a mahogany bench, a marble laver, the Hanukkah lamp and an antique clock.

A workshop in Hanukkah lamps, Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Museum of Biblical Art, Broadway and 61st Street, (212) 408-1500.

Simpler objects included charity boxes, spice boxes and Hanukkah lamps.

But the piece de resistance is a huge display of Hanukkah lamps from various places and centuries.

In this massive building, where Italian and Spanish-rite temples have been united, there is a lot of silver and gold - Hanukkah lamps, Torah finials.