Objects

Kiddush cup

The kiddush cup, one of the two cups constituting a set (the other one with inventory no. MT.IV.1891/2), from the collection of the District Museum in Tarnów is made of silver. It has a cylindrical shape similar to an inverted, truncated cone, slightly widened at the top, on a low plinth, with an upturned rim. The mantle is covered with an engraved geometric and architectural decoration in the form of a regular grid of double dotted lines. The grid forms eight polygonal fields: four narrow and four wider. The fields inside the frames are filled with alternating architectural and floral motifs. The architectural motifs probably refer to views of Jerusalem or other Jewish holy sites in the Promised Land.

On the bottom, there are two punched goldsmith's marks: the Austrian basic hallmark for silver fineness of "3" of the Kraków Assay Office, and the goldsmith's personal mark "MJ" – Marcin Jarra (1852–1938), associated with a Kraków-based factory of silver and plated products operating between 1901 and 1927. A vertical crack near the edge, the edge cracked in two places, and numerous small scratches indicate its unfortunate storage.

Kiddush ("sanctification") is a short ceremony involving the recitation of a prayer over a cup of wine during the evening beginning the Sabbath and other holidays. It is said by the master of the house in the presence of the entire family, immediately after returning from the synagogue, before the evening meal, and repeated the following morning. The prayer consists of two blessings: one over wine, the other over the Sabbath or other holidays. Specially designed chalices or cups are used to perform kiddush.

The cup, along with other silverware (glasses and cups), was found in the basement of the museum building at 20 Rynek Street (currently housing the Museum of the History of Tarnów and the Region) during renovation works carried out in 1971–1975. It was probably hidden in this place during World War II. Its original origin is unknown. In 1973, the object was donated to the District Museum in Tarnów by the Municipal and District Civic Militia Headquarters in Tarnów.

Barbara Bułdys

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Information about the object
Author / creator
Fabryka wyrobów srebrnych i platerowanych (Kraków; 1901-1927)
Object type
handicrafts
Time of creation / dating
1st quarter of the 20th century
Place of creation
Kraków (Małopolskie Province)
Technique
forming
engraving
Material
silver
Keywords
Copyright status
the object is not protected by copyright law
Owner
Museum of Tarnów Land
Identification number
MT.IV.1891/2