Elijah Cup 925 Sterling Silver Signature — approx. 25 cm

Too large to drink from — and that is precisely the point. The cup of Elijah stands on the table at the Seder meal, is filled to the brim, and remains untouched. It belongs to the prophet whose arrival is awaited. Among the Elijah cups in this collection, it is the entry-level piece: slender, without a knob on the stem, for a table seating six to eight people.

At a glance

• Elijah cup made of 925 sterling silver
• Height approx. 25 cm — silver weight approx. 0.4 kg
• Goblet shape on a tall foot, hand-chased
• Interior gold-plated
• Zaramella Argenti, Padua — manufacture since 1948

The fifth cup

On the Seder night, the start of Passover, four cups of wine stand on the table. They are drunk from during the evening, and each represents a promise from the story of the Exodus: I will bring you out. I will rescue you. I will redeem you. I will take you to be my people.

A fifth cup is also filled — but no one drinks from it. It is called Kos shel Eliyahu, the cup of Elijah, and it belongs to the prophet whose arrival heralds the future redemption. At one point in the evening, the front door is opened to welcome him. In many families, it is a child who stands up and goes to the door.

The fifth expression of the story — I will bring you — is still to come. This is what this cup stands for: something that is awaited.

Why it is so large

The form follows the function. A cup meant for drinking must sit comfortably in the hand — a Kiddush cup therefore measures nine or ten centimeters.

This one is not held. It stands, and it is meant to be seen — as a visible sign on a table where an entire family often sits. Approx. 25 cm is the ideal measurement for this, as it is effective from every position at the table without obstructing the view.

The goblet shape on a tall foot reinforces this: it lifts the cup, the actual vessel, above the rest of the tableware.

The gold-plated interior

The cup stands filled to the brim with wine all evening.

Interior gilding has been common for silver drinking vessels for centuries.

Material and origin

The advantage of solid silver over silver-plated ware is twofold for such a cup: chasing is only possible in solid silver — a plating would tear during hammering — and the interior gilding provides protection exactly where one cannot polish. A cup that is filled over decades needs both.

Zaramella Argenti has been manufacturing in Padua since 1948. The ornaments of the Signature line are chased: driven into the silver by hand with punches, stroke by stroke, not stamped under a press.

As a gift

An Elijah cup is used once a year — and that is precisely why it is gifted. It marks an evening that is the most important of the year for many families, and it stands at the center of the table.

For a wedding, when a household hosts a Seder for the first time. As a gift to hosts. Such cups are passed on; those who buy one today are making a decision about something that will still be on the table in thirty years.

Engraving

The base rim can accommodate a dedication. For cups passed down through generations, multiple engravings are often found one below the other — a name, a year, and below that, the next. We will advise you in advance on placement and size. Upon request, we will include a SilberVerse card, 15 × 10 cm, free of charge.

Care

By hand with warm water, mild detergent, and a soft cloth, then dry thoroughly — including the inside, with a long, soft cloth. No dishwasher: cleaning salts attack silver and would damage the gilding. Rinse promptly after the Seder so that no wine dries on. Tarnish affects the outside and is reversible with a silver cloth; the darker depth may remain in the chased recesses. More in the guide on the care of silver cutlery and silver tableware.

Frequently asked questions

Can you drink from the cup?

Technically yes — it is gold-plated on the inside. However, in the ritual, the cup of Elijah remains un-drunk; that is its purpose.

Why is it larger than a Kiddush cup?

Because it does not need to sit in the hand. It stands and is meant to be visible. Kiddush cups measure nine to ten centimeters, Elijah cups significantly more.

Is there a matching plate?

We do not carry a corresponding plate for this specific model. Matching in diameter are the Elijah plate approx. 25 cm and the approx. 26 cm version — both from the same line, both available individually. Those who want a cup and plate from the same production run should choose the set consisting of an approx. 28 cm cup and plate.

Is the cup kosher?

We carry silver items and describe their use — we cannot provide religious legal advice. Questions regarding ritual suitability should be answered by your congregation.

Is it delivered in gift packaging?

Yes, in high-quality packaging from the manufacturer.

Where this cup stands in the range

Elijah cups in this line are available from 23.5 to 51 centimeters. This one is the entry-level model: slender goblet shape, approx. 25 cm, without a nodus on the stem and without exterior gilding. It is the piece for a table where six to eight people sit.

Those who want more height will find it with the Light cups at approx. 30 cm or — significantly heavier and with a knob on the stem — with the cup with nodus. Those who prefer something smaller and more heavily ornamented should look at the Acanthus cup at approx. 23.5 cm.

This cup belongs to the Signature line and bears its hallmark — yet it also stands on its own: you can buy it without ever adding a second piece. It is also effective on a sideboard or in a display cabinet on the other 364 days of the year when no Seder takes place.

You might also be interested in

Other ritual objects in the category Judaica in 925 silver, the entire line under Signature by Zaramella. Why this cup is so much larger than one used for drinking is explained in Silver at the Jewish Table.