This exquisite antique Kiddush cup is a fine example of late 19th-century Imperial Russian silver craftsmanship. The cup features intricate hand-engraved designs on its exterior, showcasing two primary cartouches: one depicting an architectural scene that appears to represent a stylized tower or historical building (possibly inspired by Jerusalem's Tower of David or a similar landmark, common in Jewish silverware), surrounded by mountainous or arboreal elements; the other displaying a floral arrangement in an urn or vase, with blooming flowers and foliage. These motifs are framed by elaborate borders of geometric patterns, including interlocking knots, zigzags, and braided designs reminiscent of Celtic or traditional Eastern European ornamental styles. The cup has a slightly tapered cylindrical form, flaring gently at the rim, with a smooth, polished exterior that highlights the engraved details. At approximately 2.5 inches tall and 2 inches in diameter at the top, it is compact yet substantial, weighing 51 grams. The base is flat and stable, with all engravings showing skilled artisanship typical of the period's Jewish silversmiths in the Russian Empire.

Origin: Imperial Russia, possibly St. Petersburg or Moscow based on similar assayer marks documented in those cities; however, one hallmark appears to be an eagle, pointing to Warsaw (part of the Russian Empire at the time) or similar provincial centers like Minsk or Kamenetz-Podolsk, where eagle marks were used. Warsaw was a key hub for Jewish silver production in the Pale of Settlement, but the assayer initials do not match the standard documented assayer for Warsaw in the 1880s (Józef Sosnkowski with О.С). The piece reflects the blend of Russian silversmithing with Jewish iconography common in these regions.

Age: Circa 1880-1889, based on the hallmarked date (ambiguous last digit, possibly 0 or 9, but consistent with late 1870s-1880s examples). This places it in the late Imperial Russian period, pre-1899 hallmark reforms.

Material: Solid silver of 84 zolotnik purity (equivalent to 875/1000 or .875 fine silver, the standard Russian measure where 84/96 parts are pure silver). No gilding or other materials are present.

Condition: Good antique condition with age-appropriate wear. The engravings remain sharp and detailed, with minor surface scratches, patina, and tarnish that add to its authentic vintage character. No major dents, repairs, or structural issues are visible. The interior is well-preserved without fading or discoloration beyond normal silver oxidation. Very well-preserved for an item over 140 years old.

Hallmarks and Maker's Marks

The base features a cluster of hallmarks typical of Imperial Russian silver:

• Central mark: "84" indicating 84 zolotnik purity (.875 fine silver).

• Left of the 84: Assayer's initials in Cyrillic "И.К" (И on left, К on right; unidentified assayer, referenced in Postnikova-Loseva #2114, associated with pieces from 1874-1878 in St. Petersburg or Moscow, though the year here is later), accompanied by the year "1880" or "1889" (the last digit is blurred but aligns with 1880s formats).

• Above the 84: A square-shaped hallmark (likely the maker's mark; details indistinct but possibly containing initials or a symbol, common for individual silversmiths; resembles marks used by period artisans in major Russian cities).

• Right of the 84: Possibly an eagle (potentially the town mark, which could indicate Warsaw, Minsk, or Kamenetz-Podolsk under Russian rule; however, if misidentified due to blurriness, it might be crossed anchors for St. Petersburg or St. George for Moscow).

The configuration matches 1880s Russian silver, but the assayer "И.К" is not the standard for Warsaw (which typically used О.С for Józef Sosnkowski). It may indicate a provincial or unidentified assayer, or a misreading due to wear. 

Item dimensions: 2 5/8" tall × 2 1/8" diameter

Weight of item: 1.9 oz