Cloves Spice Box

This out-of-the-ordinary piece was designed in 1995 and created in sterling silver, oxidized silver, and 14 K gold. It measures 4” by 4” by 2½”.

A spice box's essence celebrates the uniqueness of our sense of smell. There is indeed something very magical about our sense of smell. We must have enough light to be able to use our sense of vision, we must put something into our mouth to be able to taste it, only upon contact with something or someone can we explore our sense of touch, but with every breath we breathe we exercise our sense of smell. Memories of different fragrances are often very clear and longer lasting than other types of memories.

The Havdalah - the ritual emphasizing the differentiation between Shabbat and the weekdays, is an ancient tradition. Just as the Shabbat is welcomed each week as a bride in her glory, so is it customary to be saddened by her exit the following evening. How appropriate to bid the beloved Shabbat farewell by sniffing a pleasant aroma whose memory can linger through the week, till her trusty return in six days’ time.

In this spice box Boaz has sought to create a pleasing form; first and foremost, its intention is to please the sense of smell, and then to further enhance that pleasure with visual and tactile stimulation. The form is soft and supple, to the extent that silver can be asked to be soft and supple. To touch and hold, and even fondle the form offers a pleasant and satisfying experience. The bright and shiny side of the “pillow” is in honor of the brilliant radiance of Shabbat while the darker and contrasting underside is representative of the regular days of the week. The golden cloves excite the eyes and the fingers, as the natural cloves contained within stimulate the olfactory senses, and through them, reach the spirit, touch the heart, and trigger the memory...

Stamped with Yemini triangle emblem, Boaz Yemini, Sterling 925, ירושלים