Obj. ID: 3923  Kiddush cup, Ukraine, circa 1850

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.

This lovely fluted wine cup is decorated with a bestiary of several animals. The use of the images of the squirrel, the eagle and the lion indicate it’s probable origin in Galicia where such animal motifs were quite common. There are Hebrew initials, "Gimmel" and "Peh", on the bottom, probably those of the owner. The fluting is unusual compared to the normal smooth round shape of the Galician or polish Kiddush cup. Since such representations of animals are known from Hassidic items, it is likely that this to belonged to a member of this group.

Inscription: G. P.