Eliyahu Becher 925 Silver Signature — approx. 51 cm

Half a meter of silver — this is no longer a goblet for the family table, but for a room. The manufacturer does not list it in their catalog as a Cup, but as a Religious Chiselled Cup: as a display piece. Such pieces are donated, inscribed with a dedication, and then stand in the same place for decades.

At a glance

• Eliyahu goblet made of 925 sterling silver
• Height approx. 51 cm — silver weight approx. 3.34 kg
• Bowl with free-standing leaf tips, fully chased
• Chased knop, wide-spreading stepped base
• Inside gold-plated
• Zaramella Argenti, Padua — manufacture since 1948

What fifty-one centimeters signify

At this height, a goblet ceases to be tableware. It does not stand between plates, but rises above them — visible from every seat, even when thirty people are sitting at a table.

Historically, such pieces were not made for the household, but for congregations, for endowments, for occasions that were meant to be commemorated. They are both tool and monument: they are used once a year, and the rest of the time they stand on display — in a showcase, in a community hall, on a sideboard.

For a normal Seder table, the format is too large. Anyone hosting a family is better served with 25 to 33 cm. This goblet is made for the occasion where an object is intended to be more than practical.

What 3.34 kilograms demand

The weight is not an incidental detail, but determines the construction. A goblet of this height with a thin-walled bowl would be top-heavy and would tip over at the slightest touch.

This is why the mass is in the base: wide-spreading, stepped, and solidly crafted. And this is why the alloy is crucial — 925 sterling silver, with 92.5% fine silver, is harder than 999 fine silver. 999 fine silver would be too soft for this span; the shape would warp over the years.

When carrying it, hold it with both hands by the base and the knop, never by the bowl.

The fifth cup

On Seder night, four cups of wine stand on the table from which one drinks — for the four promises of liberation. A fifth is filled, but not drunk: the Kos shel Eliyahu. It belongs to the prophet, whose coming announces the future redemption.

Towards the end of the evening, the front door is opened to welcome him. With a goblet of this size, the moment is unusually powerful: all eyes turn to the one object that stands above everything else — and that will remain empty, even though it is full.

The craft

The ornaments are chased: driven into the silver by hand with punches, strike by strike. On a surface of this size, this means many thousands of strikes, spread over weeks.

At the upper edge of the bowl, the acanthus leaves detach from the wall and stand freely. These parts can no longer be hammered — they are crafted from thicker material and refined until they detach. It is the most elaborate technique on the piece and the reason it belongs to a price category of its own.

The inside is gold-plated.

As a gift

As a gift to a congregation, as an endowment, as an honorary gift for a landmark anniversary. Pieces of this scale are almost always carried by several people — a family together, a circle of friends, an institution.

They are also what one passes on when a name is meant to endure: what is engraved here will still be there in fifty years.

Engraving

The wide-spreading base rim is the most generous engraving surface of all the goblets in the line — enough for a multi-line dedication with names, occasion, and date, easily readable even from a distance. For pieces for congregations, the occasion of the donation is recorded there. An engraving is possible after review; we will discuss the design and line layout in detail beforehand. 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. Work carefully around the free-standing leaf tips; carry the goblet with both hands by the base and knop, never by the bowl. Tarnishing is reversible with a silver cloth; the darker depth between the leaves may remain, as it gives the relief depth. More in the guide on caring for silver cutlery and silverware.

Frequently asked questions

Does it fit on a normal dining table?

It fits, but it appears oversized there and takes up space. For the household, we recommend the 25 to 33 cm models. This goblet is intended for large banquets, congregations, and representative display.

How heavy is it really?

Approx. 3.34 kg empty. When filled, the weight of the wine is added. Use both hands to carry it.

Is there a matching plate?

Yes — the plate measuring approx. 37.5×37.5 cm, scaled to match this goblet. We offer both together as an ensemble.

Is the goblet kosher?

We carry silver items and describe their use — we cannot provide an opinion based on religious law. Questions regarding ritual suitability should be answered by your congregation.

Is it delivered in a gift box?

Yes, in high-quality packaging from the manufacturer.

The largest piece in the line

Approx. 51 cm — this is no longer a goblet for the family table, but for a room. Pieces of this size stand in community halls, at large weddings, in collections. The manufacturer does not list them in their catalog as a cup, but as a Religious Chiselled Cup: as a display piece.

This includes the plate approx. 37.5×37.5 cm and the ensemble of both parts. The next smaller size is the Jumbo at approx. 33 cm — a difference of eighteen centimeters, which is easily underestimated in photos.

A piece like this is rarely bought on impulse. It is an endowment, an anniversary gift, an acquisition for a place meant to last a long time. Those who acquire it decide on something that will outlast several generations — Signature is the appropriate line for this, because every ornament is hammered by hand and thus unmistakable.

You might also be interested in

Further ritual objects in the Judaica in 925 silver category, the entire line under Signature by Zaramella. Where the fifth cup comes from and what it has to do with an open door can be found in Silver at the Jewish table.