Elijah Cup 925 Sterling Silver Signature Acanthus — approx. 23.5 cm

The acanthus leaf has decorated columns for two thousand years — here, it runs around the entire cup without leaving a single smooth spot. Among the Eliyahu cups in this collection, it is the most intricately worked: a piece for those who see ornament not as an embellishment, but as the actual subject.

At a glance

• Eliyahu cup in 925 sterling silver
• Height approx. 23.5 cm — silver weight approx. 0.5 kg
• Cup entirely chased with acanthus leaves
• Bead-and-reel border beneath the rim
• Baluster stem, stepped circular base
• Gold-plated interior
• Zaramella Argenti, Padua — manufacture since 1948

The acanthus leaf

The acanthus is a type of thistle from the Mediterranean region with deeply incised, serrated leaves. In ancient Greece, it became the decoration for Corinthian capitals; via Rome and the Italian Renaissance, it reached furniture, textiles, and silver.

It has endured because it possesses a rare quality: it can be stretched, bent, and overlapped at will without appearing unnatural. On a curved cup wall that tapers toward the top, this is crucial — a rigid motif would warp, but the acanthus follows the form.

On this cup, the leaves rise from the base and wrap around the bowl. The tips point upward, guiding the eye toward the rim.

The bead-and-reel

Beneath the rim runs a bead-and-reel — a band of closely set hemispheres. It, too, is of ancient origin and fulfills a specific task here: it draws a clear line between the restless foliage and the smooth rim.

Without this caesura, the ornament would run into the rim zone and appear unfinished. The bead-and-reel closes off the wall, much like a frame completes a picture.

The fifth cup

At the Seder meal, the prelude to Passover, four cups of wine are placed on the table to be drunk. A fifth is filled but not consumed: the Kos shel Eliyahu. It belongs to the prophet whose arrival heralds the future redemption.

At approx. 23.5 cm, this cup is the most compact piece in the Eliyahu series — large enough to be visible, yet fitting for a table where space is at a premium.

Material and origin

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

Zaramella Argenti has been crafting in Padua since 1948. The ornaments in the Signature collection are chased: hammered into the silver by hand using punches. On a double-curved cup, this is the more demanding work — the pattern must follow the curvature rather than appearing as if it were printed on.

As a gift

For a wedding, a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, or as a gift to the hosts of a Seder. A cup of this size also fits into a home where space is limited — and yet it will become the centerpiece of the table.

Engraving

The cup is worked throughout; the smooth base rim remains for engraving. This is sufficient for a name and date, and it is the place where engravings can be added one below the other over generations. We will advise you in advance. Upon request, we will include a SilberVerse card (15 × 10 cm), free of charge.

Care

Clean by hand with warm water, mild detergent, and a soft cloth, then dry thoroughly — including the inside. Do not use a dishwasher. Rinse promptly after the Seder. A soft brush is suitable for the recesses between the leaves. Tarnishing is reversible with a silver cloth; the darker depth between the leaves may remain, as it gives the relief its plasticity. More in our guide on the care of silver cutlery and tableware.

Frequently asked questions

What is a bead-and-reel?

A circumferential band of closely set hemispheres. It separates ornamental zones and originates from ancient architectural ornamentation.

Is there a matching plate?

Yes — the Acanthus plate, approx. 25 cm. It bears the same foliage and comes from the same model series. It is ordered separately; the manufacturer does not offer a pre-bundled set for this model.

Can one drink from the cup?

Technically yes — it is made of 925 silver and gold-plated on the inside. However, in the ritual, Elijah’s cup remains unconsumed.

Is the cup kosher?

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

Does it come in a gift box?

Yes, in high-quality packaging from the manufacturer.

The acanthus pair

This cup is the smallest in the series and at the same time the most densely chased. The acanthus leaf — that serrated, curling leaf form that has decorated column capitals since antiquity — runs here around the entire cup.

It is accompanied by a specially crafted Acanthus plate, approx. 25 cm. Both feature the same foliage; the manufacturer lists them under a common model number. There is no set consisting of both — those who wish to have the pair should order the two pieces individually.

Compared to the smoother models in the line — such as the cup, approx. 25 cm — the Acanthus relies on surface detail rather than height. It is a piece for people who appreciate ornament, and as such, it works well on its own in a display cabinet, regardless of whether it ever stands on a Seder table.

You might also be interested in

Further ritual objects in the category Judaica in 925 Silver, 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.