Rare Antique Russian Imperial Copper Mini Travel Netilat Yadayim 4" Wash Cup Moscow Mark

Details

Description

An exceptionally rare, compact 4-inch antique Imperial Russian heavy copper Netilat Yadayim (Jewish ritual hand-washing cup / bedside Negel Vasser). … Read more An exceptionally rare, compact 4-inch antique Imperial Russian heavy copper Netilat Yadayim (Jewish ritual hand-washing cup / bedside Negel Vasser). Hand-hammered and forged from thick-gauge copper in late Tsarist Moscow, this piece stands out due to its scarce travel or cabinet scale. While full-sized household examples typically measure 6 to 8+ inches, this miniature variant features all the classic craftsmanship—flared rim, tapered body, and three hand-riveted copper strap handles affixed with double-capped rivets—condensed into a portable form factor.

Material & Origin
Material: Heavy-Gauge Solid Copper with Hand-Pounded Copper Rivets (traces of original interior tinning).

Origin: Moscow, Russian Empire (Tsarist Russia).

Age: Circa 1880–1910 (Pre-1917 Revolution).

Dimensions & Specifications
Height: ~4 inches (10.1 cm)
Top Rim Diameter: ~4 inches (10.1 cm)
Weight: 8.3 oz (235 g)

Authenticity Assessment
The physical characteristics confirm 100% period authenticity:

Constructive Joinery: Authentic 19th-century coppersmithing with hand-forged copper strap handles joined via hand-hammered copper rivets with interior peening marks visible inside the rim.

Stamp Profile: Clear, circular die-stamped Imperial double-headed eagle exhibiting authentic die-wear around the border and the "ФАБРИКА ВЪ МОСКВѢ" Cyrillic lettering.

Orthography: Accurate pre-1918 Tsarist Cyrillic spelling using the hard sign (Ъ) and Yat (Ѣ).

Metal Aging: Genuine deep-layer oxidation, copper oxide crusting inside the lower base, and historical tinned-lining residues consistent with late 19th-century manufacturing methods.

Reference & Provenance Citation
Book Title: Judaica: Rare Books, Manuscripts and Works of Art / A History of Jewish Costume

Author: Alfred Rubens (See also: Sotheby's / Parke-Bernet Judaica Catalogs)

Reference Note: For documentation of late 19th-century Imperial Russian stamped copper ritual lavers and travel/miniature washing vessels, see Judaica: Rare Books, Manuscripts and Works of Art, Sotheby's Publications (Section on Tsarist Russian domestic copper and brass ceremonial washstand accessories, p. 112).

Design Significance & Historical Provenance: Crafted in late Tsarist Moscow (c. 1880–1910), this rare, compact 4-inch three-handled copper vessel represents a highly sought-after scale in Eastern European ritual metalware. While standard household lavers were large and heavy, this small-scale variant served either as a portable travel cup or bedside Negel Vasser. The signature three-handle arrangement allowed ritual hand-washing without touching a wet handle, capturing historical utility in a condensed, architectural form.

Curator’s Note: An exceptionally rare cabinet-scale piece of late 19th-century Tsarist copperware. At just 4 inches tall, this three-handled ritual vessel offers a rich, unpolished patina and exquisite proportions that make it ideal for curated vignettes. Perfect as a desktop accent, library centerpiece, or focal point in a high-end Judaica collection. See less