The tensed crouch of the lions, as if about to tear open their prey, and the contrasting colors of the stone and the copper candleholder create a lively sense of movement that is characteristic of Art Nouveau. This is heightened by the eastern interlace pattern and the stalking, sinuous lions below A Hebrew inscription has been encoded in the center of the arch of the backplate, barely distinguishable from the interlace surrounding it. It contains a verse from the Ethics of the Fathers, quoting Rabbi Hillel of the first century, who asked, "If I am not for myself, who is for me?" By this Hillel meant to signify the importance of caring for one's own body, based on humankind's likeness to God. While this may at first seem to be self-serving, the passage counters this sentiment as it continues: "If I care only for myself, what am I?" The final question in this famous quotation ends with "If not now, when?" -- an admonition not to postpone one's duty.