European and American Art

HIERONYMUS MITTNACHT
German, active in Augsburg, died 1769
Kiddush Cup
silver-gilt, engraved and chased, 1759/61
The William A. Whitaker Foundation Art Fund, 99.21

Kiddush (sanctification) is the ritual that opens the Sabbath meal on Friday evening in a Jewish home. The head of the household blesses a cup of wine, and all members of the household share it. Cups specially dedicated to the Kiddush ceremony, like this one, are often identified by an inscription taken from of the Kiddush blessing: "Blessed art thou, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, who createst the fruit of the vine". This cup, however, is inscribed, "Observe the Sabbath Day and keep it Holy, as the Lord your God has commanded you" [Deuter. 5:12]