Winecup
Moscow, Russia, 1837
Precious metals; silver, niello, engraved, gilded

This extremely fine niello cup, in the most delicate Russian silver work, was not created as a Jewish object. At some point it was given by a hasidic man to his rebbe for whom it was inscribed at a later date with the words "Cup of Elijah." This rebbe was Rabbi Yitzhak, the Bender rebbe. After the rabbi's death, the cup was further inscribed, probably by his children, with the words "the inheritance of the Admor [our master and teacher], the Rabbi Rav Yitzhak, the righteous, of blessed memory, of Bender." It is not unknown that such sumptuous gifts were given to their rebbes by followers.

Inscription(s): Top: The cup of Elijah.
Bottom: From the inheritance of the Admor, the Rabbi Rav Yitzhak, the righteous, of blessed memory, of Bender


Height. 10.2 cm; D. 9 cm

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