Obj. ID: 35649 Kos Yeshuot, Essaouira, circa 1925
sub-set tree:
The following description was prepared by William Gross:
The sanctification of the Shabbat and Holidays is connected with a blessing recited over wine or grape juice. While the wine can be drunck from any vessel, often special cups are created for the purpose. In most cases, regular cups are simply decorated or inscribed with names or blessings, rendering them exclusively for the Kiddush.
The drinking of wine for blessing on Shabbat and holidays was, of course, common in Morocco as in all places of Jewish settlement. But normally people used regular cups or glasses with no special designs for inscriptions. Very few special silver ritual wine cups are recorded, especially from North African countries. This one has typical Moroccan decorative designs engraved on it and a long inscription from the owner, Yitzhak Elmaliach, in honor of someone named Eliyahu. Such a silver cup would have been the property of one of the wealthier Jews in Morocco. Consequently they are quite scarce.
Inscription: Yitzhal Elmaliach. I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord (Psalms 116:3). To honor the Sabbath and the Holy Days. In honor of Eliyahu, of blessed memory.