Kiddush Cup 925 Silver Signature — approx. 10 cm

At the beginning of Shabbat, a blessing is recited over a cup of wine—held in the hand, then drunk. The entire form follows from this single fact: A vessel that must be held remains small. Anyone who sees a thirty-centimeter silver cup does not have a Kiddush cup before them.

At a glance

• Kiddush cup in 925 sterling silver
• Height approx. 10 cm — silver weight approx. 0.125 kg
• Conical shape, slightly flared at the top
• Fully hand-chased: tendrils, blossoms, and rows of pearls
• Interior gold-plated
• Zaramella Argenti, Padua — manufacture since 1948

The Kiddush

The Kiddush — literally "sanctification" — is the blessing used to inaugurate Shabbat and the holidays. It is recited over a cup of wine that the person speaking holds in their hand. Afterwards, it is drunk and the cup is passed around.

The form follows from 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, approx. 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 left standing.

This distinguishes it fundamentally from the Cup of Elijah, which is filled during Passover but not drunk from, and can therefore be three times as high.

Why the interior is gold-plated

The gold inner surface is not for decoration. Interior gold-plating has practical reasons for silver wine cups.

From a practical standpoint: The inside of a cup is almost impossible to polish. Whatever tarnishes there stays there. Gold does not tarnish — which is why interior gold-plating has been standard for silver drinking vessels for centuries.

The surface

The cup is chased all around: the pattern is driven into the silver by hand using punches, strike by strike. This is challenging on a conical wall because the motif must widen toward the top without falling apart.

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

Material and origin

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

Zaramella Argenti has been manufacturing in Padua since 1948. The Signature line represents the house's richly chased signature style.

As a gift

A Kiddush cup is traditionally given for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah — the day a child reaches religious maturity and is allowed to recite the blessing themselves for the first time. It is also common for weddings, when a new household is formed, or at a birth, with the future in mind.

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

Engraving

The cup is chased throughout on the outside; the smooth base rim or the underside remains for engraving. This is sufficient for a name and date. 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

Clean by hand with warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft cloth, then dry thoroughly — including the inside. No dishwasher: cleaning salts attack silver and would damage the gold-plating over time. Rinse promptly after use so that wine does not dry on it. Tarnish only affects the outside and is reversible with a silver cloth; the darker depth may remain in the chased recesses. More in our guide on the care of silver cutlery and tableware.

Frequently asked questions

How much does the cup hold?

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

Why is it gold-plated on the inside?

The interior gold-plating separates the wine from the silver and protects areas that cannot be polished.

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.

Is there a matching plate?

Yes — the round Kiddush plate, approx. 17 cm, which the manufacturer lists under the same model number. There is no pre-bundled set for this combination; however, we do carry the Kiddush set with pedestal cup.

Does it come in gift packaging?

Yes, in high-quality packaging from the manufacturer.

Why this cup is small

Ten centimeters — this is not a budget format, but the result of how it is used. The Kiddush, the blessing for the beginning of Shabbat and holidays, is recited over a cup of wine. The person reciting the blessing holds it in their hand and then drinks from it. A vessel that must lie in the hand has a natural upper limit.

This is exactly where it differs from the Elijah cups of the same line: they are filled but not drunk from. They stand and are meant to be seen — that is why they measure 25 to 51 centimeters.

The round Kiddush plate, approx. 17 cm, belongs with this cup; the manufacturer lists both under one model number. Those who prefer a cup with a base should look at the cup with pedestal.

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

You might also be interested in

Further ritual items in the Judaica in 925 silver category, the entire line under Signature by Zaramella. What happens during the Kiddush and why the cup remains small as a result is explained in Silver at the Jewish Table.