Mid-Century Solid Silver Kiddush Cup from Israel, an exceptional example of mid-20th-century Israeli silversmithing. The hallmarks on the base rim are characteristic of the domestic artisan workshops active in post-independence Jerusalem.
Item Overview
Maker: Israeli Artisan Workshop (Variant Maker's Mark)
Material: Solid Silver (Physically Verified via Acid & Deep Scratch Testing)
Weight: 44 Grams
Origin: Jerusalem, Israel
Design Motif: Two-tier repoussé featuring a clustered grape and vine canopy above a rhythmic "fish scale" or scalloped base
The Expert Identification: Material & Design Pedigree
This cup features distinct professional hallmarks that verify its authentic mid-century Israeli heritage:
The Maker's Mark: The base rim features a stylized workshop stamp alongside domestic Hebrew character markings. These early domestic workshop stamps are characteristic of solid silver production from mid-20th-century Jerusalem.
Metal Quality: This vintage 44g vessel has been physically audited using both a professional silver acid test and a deep structural scratch test on the underside of the base. The results definitively confirm that the piece is solid silver throughout, exhibiting uniform bright white silver content past the surface layer.
Condition & Aesthetics
Preserved Patina: In keeping with professional preservation standards, the cup retains its original historical as-found patina. The original oxidation within the deep repoussé work has been left entirely untouched, providing a stunning contrast that highlights the grapes and "fish scale" texture.
Artisan Details: The flared pedestal base includes the traditional embossed "Yerushalayim" (Jerusalem) architectural lettering, anchoring the piece directly to the holy city's rich artistic post-war revival.
Reference
Book Title: Jewish Ritual Art in the Victoria and Albert Museum
Author: Michael E. Keen
Page Number: 42-45 (discussing the emergence of independent silver workshops and their characteristic repoussé grape motifs in mid-century Israel).
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Item Description and Condition Disclaimer
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