Impressive Chevra Kadisha Cup is set on a circular bead trimmed base supporting a broad domed and banded lower section. Central body recedes inward to form a dodecagon paneled hammered surface topped by circular foliate scrolling with a wide flaring lip.
Dedication at upper section engraved in German reads, " Your esteemed chairman ‘Herrn Samuel Baumgardt’ for his 70th birthday dedicated by the Chevra Kadisha of the Synagogue in the municipality of Erfurt, September 15 1926".
During the second half of the 16th century, the rabbis of Prague formed the first modern Jewish burial society, known as the Chevra Kadisha. This Chevra Kadisha, and others that were formed across the lands of Bohemia, Moravia, and Germany, would hold festive banquets for it’s members and would commission very large drinking vessels in enameled glass and silver. At the end of the meal of the banquet, new members were invited to drink wine from this beaker, and in the following days after the banquet, the new members name and zodiac sign would be engraved in Hebrew on the beaker.
This gift from the Chevra Kadisha of Erfurt, Germany signifies that although hundreds of years have passed since the first Jewish burial societies were formed in Germany, this Chevra Kadisha in 1926 proudly remembers its tradition of acquiring and presenting a very large drinking vessel. The members of this Chevra Kadisha and Synagogue could never imagine that only a few years after this cup was presented, their lives would be forever changed and they would consider themselves fortunate if they were able to leave Germany before 1938.
Hallmarked at inner base
17.6 Cm H.
8.5 Oz.
Overall Good condition, some light scratches, upper lip is slightly bent.
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