The silver glass from the collection of the District Museum in Tarnów is one of the five glasses constituting a set (the others with inventory no. MT.IV.1892/2, MT.IV.1892/3, MT.IV.1892/4 i MT.IV.1892/5). It has the shape of a cylinder widening upwards with an upturned rim, slightly rounded at the bottom, on a low plinth. The mantle has a one-sided engraved decoration in the form of an oval medallion, outlined with a double dotted line, framed with stylised leaves at the bottom and top. The bottom is slightly concave with a rim marked on the underside.
There are two punched hallmarks on the underside: 1. the Polish state small hallmark of the Kraków Assay Office for silver fineness mark of "3" under 10 g or (since 1932) for marking all products; 2. goldsmith's name hallmark: „JS”. There are noticeable cracks near the edge and numerous small scratches on the surface.
Such glasses and cups are used to perform kiddush (Hebrew: "sanctification") – a ceremony involving the recitation of a prayer over a cup of wine (or vodka) 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.
The glass, 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