Maker's mark on a goblet: AS

[Granmaa]

Here is a goblet of a similar sort to the one I posted previously but 15cm high. It was assayed in 1987 Birmingham. Does anyone recognize the maker? Also, what's this one used for? Wine?

Miles

[georgiansilver]

Also a Kiddush but don't know who the maker is. Best wishes, Mike.

[Granmaa]

I don't understand the difference in design between a kiddush cup and an ordinary goblet; how can one tell? Also, I'd be interested to hear the precise ceremony in which the kiddush cup is involved.

Miles

[dragonflywink]

A Kiddush is a blessing said over the wine served at the beginning of the Sabbath meal or the start of a holiday. Kiddush cups can be any shape but they must hold at least 4½ ounces, can be of any material that isn't disposable and cannot be used if damaged, which is why so many are made of metal. Many makers of Kiddush cups produce that sort of thistle shape, perhaps it's become traditional. When I tended bar, we used similar small low goblets for port or sherry (though many preferred a snifter).

I once helped close out the estate of a wealthy Jewish lady, she had several sets of various size and shape sterling goblets and one wonderful set of small tumblers with Hebrew lettering and symbols. Sadly the family kept virtually none of her wonderful Judaica (or family photos and papers).

Cheryl ;o)

[Granmaa]

Thankyou Cheryl, that was very interesting. Are you sure that they must hold 4.5 ounces, because my little cup I posted here only holds 2. Do you think it might not be a kiddush cup but rather a liquor glass belonging to a set of kiddush cups?

Miles

[dragonflywink]

I'm not Jewish, so this is just my understanding, but the measurement of capacity is called a revi'is, and is equal to the volume of two eggs, the current thinking is that would be about 4 ounces, so 4½ oz. would be about right to avoid overflow. My guess is that, as with most religious traditions, there have been adaptations and changes. Believe the smaller cups are more properly called Seder or L'Chaim cups, meant to be used with a larger Kiddush cup or Cup of Elijah for serving the traditional 4 cups of Passover wine, their capacity should be at least a m’lo lugmav (cheekful), generally accepted as about 2 ounces. As an old bartender, it would be a cordial glass to me.

Cheryl ;o)

[Granmaa]

Thankyou very much Cheryl, this has been very helpful. I'm still not completely sure of the ceremony; do you fill the four smaller cups from the larger one?

Miles

[dragonflywink]

There would be a cup for everyone at the table, each cup would be filled four times, another cup (the large one, if a set with the small cups is used) would be filled and left on the table as a symbolic welcome for the prophet Elijah.

Cheryl ;o)

[Granmaa]

I have found out that his mark is that of A. Smith. I found it on a 1968 goblet which has a barmitzvah inscription.

Miles