Kiddush Cup 925 Silver Signature — approx. 10 cm

Over a cup of wine, the blessing is recited at the start of Shabbat — held in the hand, then drunk. This single fact dictates the entire form: A vessel that must be held remains small. Anyone who sees a thirty-centimeter silver cup does not have a Kiddush cup in front of them.

At a Glance

• Kiddush cup made of 925 sterling silver
• Height approx. 10 cm — Silver weight approx. 0.125 kg
• Conical shape, slightly open at the top
• Completely hand-chased: tendrils, blossoms, and pearl rows
• Interior gilded
• Zaramella Argenti, Padua — Manufacturer since 1948

The Kiddush

The Kiddush — literally "sanctification" — is the blessing recited to usher in Shabbat and holidays. It is spoken over a cup of wine, which the speaker holds in their hand. Afterwards, it is drunk, and the cup is passed around.

The form follows this action. A Kiddush cup is small and light enough to be held steadily in the hand for the duration of a blessing — for this piece, about 10 cm and approx. 125 grams. It has no handle because it rests in the palm of the hand, and no tall base because it is meant to be held, not to stand.

This fundamentally distinguishes it from Elijah's cup, which is filled during Passover but not drunk, and can therefore be three times as tall.

Why the Inside is Gilded

The golden interior is not merely decorative. Silver reacts with acid, and wine is acidic — over the years, the interior would dull and the taste would suffer. An interior gilding provides a chemically inert layer in between.

Practically speaking, the inside of a cup is difficult to polish. Anything that tarnishes there remains. Gold does not tarnish — which is why interior gilding has been common for silver drinking vessels for centuries.

The Surface

The cup is entirely chased: The pattern is hand-driven into the silver with punches, stroke by stroke. On a conical wall, this is challenging because the motif must expand upwards without spreading apart.

The result has a practical side: A fully chased cup offers a more secure grip than a smooth one. Where a polished surface might slip with damp fingers, the relief provides a hold.

Material and Origin

The advantage of solid silver over silver-plated goods is twofold in a cup: Chasing is only possible on solid silver — a plating would tear during the process — and the interior gilding protects precisely where one cannot polish. A cup that is filled for decades needs both. The Italian hallmark of the manufacturer indicates the material.

Zaramella Argenti has been manufacturing in Padua since 1948. The Signature line is the richly chased hallmark of the house.

As a Gift

A Kiddush cup is traditionally given for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah — the day a child becomes religiously mature and is allowed to recite the blessing themselves for the first time. Also for a wedding, when a new household is established, or for a birth, with future thoughts in mind.

Such cups remain in families. They are used, passed down, and often bear several engravings from different generations. A solid silver cup easily withstands this.

Engraving

The cup is continuously chased on the outside; the smooth bottom rim or the underside remains as an engraving surface. This is sufficient for a name with a date. We will advise you beforehand on placement and size. Upon request, we can include a SilberVerse card, 15 × 10 cm, currently free of charge.

Care

Hand wash with warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft cloth, then dry thoroughly — inside too. No dishwasher: cleaning salts attack silver and would eventually damage the gilding. Rinse promptly after use to prevent wine from drying on. Tarnishing only affects the outside and is reversible with a silver cloth; the darker depth can remain in the chased depressions. More in the guide on the care of silver cutlery and tableware.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the cup hold?

At approx. 10 cm in height, it holds a usual glass of wine. We can provide the exact volume upon request.

Is it food safe?

Yes. 925 silver is suitable for food contact, and the interior gilding further separates the wine from the metal.

Is the cup kosher?

We sell silver items and describe their use — we cannot provide religious legal information. Your community can answer questions about ritual suitability.

Is there a matching plate?

Yes — the round Kiddush plate of approx. 17 cm, listed under the same model number by the manufacturer. There is no pre-assembled set for this combination; as a set, we offer the Kiddush set with a stemmed cup.

Is it delivered in gift packaging?

Yes, in high-quality packaging from the manufacturer.

Why This Cup Is Small

Ten centimeters — this is not a budget size, but a consequence of its use. Over the Kiddush, the blessing at the start of Shabbat and holidays, a cup of wine is recited. The person reciting the blessing holds it in their hand and then drinks from it. A vessel that must be held in the hand has a natural upper size limit.

This is precisely the difference to the Eliyahu cups of the same line: They are filled but not drunk. They stand and are meant to be seen — which is why they measure 25 to 51 centimeters.

This cup comes with the round Kiddush plate of approx. 17 cm; the manufacturer lists both under one model number. If you prefer a stemmed cup, take a look at the stemmed cup.

A Kiddush cup is not put away. It comes to the table every week, and in many households, it remains visibly in a display cabinet or on a sideboard the rest of the time — small enough not to be in the way, and striking enough from polished silver that one wants it there.

You Might Also Be Interested In

Further ritual objects in the Judaica made of 925 Silver category, the entire line under Signature by Zaramella. What happens during Kiddush and why the cup therefore remains small is explained in Silver at the Jewish Table.