Lovely engravings of a rampant lion and a unicorn flanking a center cartouche on a background of foliate scrolling . Center cartouche presents a dedication by the owner of the Shmirot cup which says in Hebrew " R’ Kalman made this cup from Holy Shmirot". Cup is set on circular flat base with a ringed lip at top.
The uniqueness of this Shmirot cup is that the name of the owner who collected the coins from the Rebbe and gave them to a silversmith to make added his name which is written on the front cartouche of the cup. Normally the names of the owners of the Shmirot cups are not written on the cups themselves, they only have the words "This cup is made from Holy Shmirot".
When the rabbinical leader of a community (the Rebbe) has a favorite follower or student, he would give him some of his silver coins or silver eating utensils. The recipient would take these coins or utensils to a silversmith to make them into a cup or if he was given a significant gift, a menorah. More often than not, the coins were scarce so the cups made were small. These “Shmirot” cups were held in great esteem since their silver content had been previously owned by a Tzaddik, a holy person. An added holiness would, therefore, be bestowed upon the user during the recitation of the Kiddush on the Sabbath and Holidays.
Marked 12 at bottom of base.
6.9 Cm H.
1.86 Oz.
Overall Good condition, slightly bent at lip, one dent on upper and lower section.
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