Eliyahu Becher 925 Silver Signature — approx. 28 cm, chased

At one point during the Seder, the front door is opened to welcome the prophet—in many families, a child goes to do this. This cup stands at the place where that happens. Its bowl is entirely chased, without any smooth area: the most intricate piece in the series at this height.

At a glance

• Eliyahu cup made of 925 sterling silver
• Height approx. 28 cm — silver weight approx. 0.5 kg
• Bowl entirely chased, baluster stem, stepped circular base
• Interior gold-plated
• Zaramella Argenti, Padua — manufacture since 1948

The moment at the door

Toward the end of the Seder, after the meal, the fifth cup is filled to the brim. Then someone stands up and opens the front door.

The gesture welcomes the prophet Elijah—the figure whose arrival, according to tradition, heralds the coming redemption. He is not expected like a guest for whom a place is set; he is invited like a possibility. The cup remains full, no one drinks from it, and the door is closed again.

In many families, it is a child who goes to the door. For children, this moment is often the strongest memory of the entire evening—and the cup is the object they associate with it. This is precisely why it stands visibly in the middle of the table, rather than at the edge.

The four and the fifth

The evening features four cups of wine from which one drinks. They represent four promises from the Exodus narrative: I will bring you out. I will rescue you. I will redeem you. I will take you to be my people.

A fifth expression follows in the narrative—I will bring you—but it has not yet been fulfilled. The cup of Elijah emerged from this open-ended point: filled for something that is still to come.

Why the size

A cup one drinks from must fit well in the hand; a Kiddush cup therefore measures nine or ten centimeters. This one is not held—it stands.

Approx. 28 cm is the dimension that rises above plates, glasses, and candlesticks, making it visible from every seat at the table. The high baluster stem further elevates the bowl.

Material and origin

The advantage of solid silver over silver-plated ware is twofold with this cup: chasing is only possible in solid silver—a plating would tear during the hammering process—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: hammered into the silver by hand with punches, strike by strike.

As a gift

For a wedding, when a couple hosts a Seder for the first time themselves. As a gift for the hosts. For a Bar or Bat Mitzvah.

An Eliyahu cup is used once a year—and that is exactly why it is a gift that lasts. It is not worn out, but passed on.

Engraving

The bowl is crafted with a continuous pattern; the smooth edge of the base remains as an engraving area. This is sufficient for a name and a date—and it is the place where engravings can be added one after another over generations. Those who desire a larger surface will find it in the Light version of the same line. We will advise you in advance. 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. Rinse quickly after the Seder so that no wine dries on. Tarnishing is reversible with a silver cloth; the darker depth may remain in the chased recesses. More in our guide on caring for silver cutlery and silver tableware.

Frequently asked questions

Can one drink from the cup?

Technically yes—it is gold-plated inside. In the rite, however, the cup of Elijah remains un-drunk; that is its purpose.

Is there a matching plate?

Yes—the plate measuring approx. 26 cm belongs to this cup. Both are also available together as an Eliyahu set, from the same production run and in one package.

What distinguishes it from the Light version?

With this cup, the bowl is entirely chased. The Light version leaves the top half polished—appearing calmer and offering a larger engraving surface.

Is the cup kosher?

We stock silver utensils 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.

Individually or as a set

This cup is chased throughout—the ornament runs from the base rim to just below the lip without any smooth zone. It belongs to a group of three that the manufacturer carries under one model number.

• the cup itself, approx. 28 cm
• the matching plate, approx. 26 cm
• both together as an Eliyahu set

The simpler sister is the Light cup of the same height, where the bowl remains smooth in the middle. One level higher, with a knob on the stem and noticeably more silver, is the cup with nodus.

Whether as part of the set or on its own: the piece is crafted to stand alone. Many households start with the cup and add the plate later—both remain available.

You might also be interested in

Other ritual objects in the category Judaica made of 925 silver, the entire line under Signature by Zaramella. The article Silver at the Jewish table explains why this cup is so much larger than one used for drinking.