This goblet was commissioned by Charlotte von Rothschild for Adolphe Cremieux as a token of thanks for interceding on behalf of the Frankfurt Jewish community, which had been falsely accused of ritual murder during the so-called Damascus Affair in 1840. Charlotte de Rothschild and Betty de Rothschild presented the thank you gifts to Adolphe Crémieux and Sir Moses Montefiore. The two prominent Jewish personalities, along with another — James de Rothschild — had mobilized international opinion on behalf of the Jews of Damascus through the press, and had succeeded in having the charges dropped.

The goblet, paid for by donations from the Frankfurt Jewish community, was part of a complete centerpiece, accompanied by a bowl. The goblet's stem portrays a knight slaying a dragon. Together with the bowl, it presents an allegory of divine reason triumphing over violence.[1]

 

	[1] Weber, Annette. "Moritz Daniel Oppenheim and the Rothschilds" in Heuberger, Georg and Anton Merk, eds. Moritz Daniel Oppenheim: Jewish Identity in 19th Century Art. Catalog of an exhibition at the Jüdisches Museum, Frankfurt, December 16 1999-April 2, 2000. Copyright © 1999 Wienand Verlag, Jüdisches Museum, Frankfurt. P. 175.
	See genre painting

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