Obj. ID: 3914
Sacred and Ritual Objects  Kos yeshuot for Havdalah, Afghanistan, circa 1900

The following description was prepared by William Gross:

Distinctive ritual wine cups are unusual for much of the eastern and Sephardic tradition, but this perhaps unique piece was crafted in Afghanistan.  This cup for the blessing of the wine is made especially for the Havdalah ceremony which separates the Sabbath from the beginning of the week.  The cup is inscribed with appropriate Havdalah inscriptions and decorated with cast medallions.  The shape, growing wider from a narrow base, is typical of the rare cups found from the eastern Jewish communities.

Inscription:  TOP RIM:  THOU HAS ANNOINTED MY HEAD WITH OIL; MY CUP RUNNETH OVER (PSALMS 23:5)            I WILL LIFT UP THE CUP OF SALVATION, AND CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD (PSALMS 116:13) BOTTOM RIM:   ILLEGIBLE BECAUSE OF REPAIR