Antique German 800 Solid Silver Hexagonal Kiddush Cup Goblet Judaica Shabbat C1890

Details

Description

An exquisite late 19th-century Imperial German solid .800 silver Shabbat Kiddush goblet/chalice. Beautifully proportioned with a unique six-sided (hexagonal) faceted … Read more An exquisite late 19th-century Imperial German solid .800 silver Shabbat Kiddush goblet/chalice. Beautifully proportioned with a unique six-sided (hexagonal) faceted lip, a deeply hand-chased and embossed repoussé bowl, a knopped stem, and a broad domed base.

Inscriptions & Surface Detail The upper rim is divided into six flat panels featuring embossed Hebrew lettering reciting the commandment:

זכור את יום השבת לקדשו ("Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy")

Below the inscribed rim, the deep bowl features dense repoussé and chased decoration of blooming roses, daisies, and delicate foliage set against a stippled ground, framed above swirling acanthus scrolls and vertical gadrooned fluting. The circular base mirrors the bowl with matching floral relief garlands.

Historical Provenance & Design Significance: Crafted during the historicist revival of late 19th-century Germany, this solid .800 silver Kiddush goblet demonstrates master-level repoussé metalwork. Combining classic European Baroque-revival floral relief with sacred Hebrew calligraphy, it serves as a bridge between high-style European decorative arts and traditional ceremonial craft.

Curator's Note: An exceptionally expressive piece of late 19th-century silverwork. With its rare hexagonal rim and deeply sculptural floral relief, this German silver goblet brings textural warmth and rich historical grounding to curation displays, bar setups, or private ceremonial collections. Its balance of sacred typography and opulent metalworking renders it a captivating accent piece for both classic and transitional interiors.

Specifications
Origin: Germany (Imperial Era)

Age / Circa: Circa 1890–1910

Material: Solid .800 German Silver

Dimensions:
Height: 4.75in (12.07cm)

Top Width Across Rim: 2.25in (5.72cm)

Base Diameter: 2.75in (6.99cm)

Weight: 158 grams (5.080oztroy)

Reference
Book Title: Judaica: Silver, Pewter, Brass, Copper
Author: Chaya Benjamin
Reference Page: Page 84 (cataloging late 19th and early 20th-century European silver ritual ceremonial goblets and Sabbath Kiddush cups with Hebrew rim inscriptions).

Authenticity Assessment
The hallmarks stamped along the lower edge of the domed base conform precisely to the German Imperial Silver standard instituted by the Law of April 7, 1884 (effective 1888). The side-by-side punch combination of the right-facing crescent moon (Halbmond), the Imperial Crown (Reichskrone), and the decimal purity stamp 800 verifies late 19th to early 20th-century German silver manufacture. Physical inspection confirms authentic raised repoussé and chasing work pushed from the interior outwards rather than modern casting imitations. The original, untouched age oxidation within the recessed chased areas further verifies genuine antique provenance. See less