Silver Kiddush cup with domed cover
Object numberM2015/020:001
TitleSilver Kiddush cup with domed cover
DescriptionSilver Kiddush cup from the Aaron family, a Sydney based Sephardic family from India, who originated from Iraq.
The body is decorated with floral and leaf engraving and raised on a short stem. There is no inscription or visible silver hallmarks. The domed cover is engraved with a similar band of floral and foliage ornaments, topped with a pine-shaped finial.
Observant Jews are required to observe Shabbat, as stipulated by the Torah (Teaching, the Law), i.e. to "observe it" and to "remember it". Reciting Kiddush is customary before the meal on the eve of Shabbat and Jewish holidays and it requires a cup (usually silver goblet – yet any cup can suffice) filled with wine. After reciting, the cup is either passed around the table or wine is poured for each participant.
The Jewish population of India prospered in the mid-1940s, though the Aaron family never really considered themselves as part of the Indian society. After the country became nationalized in 1948, many Jews left for Israel and Australia.
Aaron Aaron, an engineer, arrived in Sydney in 1950 and soon became a prominent figure of the Sydney Sephardi community. In 1962, he and his brother, Reuben, were instrumental in the establishment of the first Sephardi in Fletcher Street, Woollahra. Archival materials documenting Reuben and Aaron’s activities are in the Archive of Australian Judaica at the University of Sydney. Aaron's sons, Moses and Issi Aaron, donated the Kiddush cups. Made in India, they belonged respectively to their grandparents, Mozelle and Moses Aaron and Rachel and Israel Menahaim, and were brought to Australia as part of the family trove (second cup M2015/020:002).
Reuben Aaron's autobiography was published in the Australian Jewish Historical Society Journal, Vol. XVI 2002, Part 3, p. 320 - 327.
See also the Ketubah M2013/021:001, a Marriage certificate of Seemah Menahaim and Aaron Aaron, dated 27 December 1942, in Calcutta, India, donated to Sydney Jewish Museum.
The body is decorated with floral and leaf engraving and raised on a short stem. There is no inscription or visible silver hallmarks. The domed cover is engraved with a similar band of floral and foliage ornaments, topped with a pine-shaped finial.
Observant Jews are required to observe Shabbat, as stipulated by the Torah (Teaching, the Law), i.e. to "observe it" and to "remember it". Reciting Kiddush is customary before the meal on the eve of Shabbat and Jewish holidays and it requires a cup (usually silver goblet – yet any cup can suffice) filled with wine. After reciting, the cup is either passed around the table or wine is poured for each participant.
The Jewish population of India prospered in the mid-1940s, though the Aaron family never really considered themselves as part of the Indian society. After the country became nationalized in 1948, many Jews left for Israel and Australia.
Aaron Aaron, an engineer, arrived in Sydney in 1950 and soon became a prominent figure of the Sydney Sephardi community. In 1962, he and his brother, Reuben, were instrumental in the establishment of the first Sephardi in Fletcher Street, Woollahra. Archival materials documenting Reuben and Aaron’s activities are in the Archive of Australian Judaica at the University of Sydney. Aaron's sons, Moses and Issi Aaron, donated the Kiddush cups. Made in India, they belonged respectively to their grandparents, Mozelle and Moses Aaron and Rachel and Israel Menahaim, and were brought to Australia as part of the family trove (second cup M2015/020:002).
Reuben Aaron's autobiography was published in the Australian Jewish Historical Society Journal, Vol. XVI 2002, Part 3, p. 320 - 327.
See also the Ketubah M2013/021:001, a Marriage certificate of Seemah Menahaim and Aaron Aaron, dated 27 December 1942, in Calcutta, India, donated to Sydney Jewish Museum.
Production placeIndia
Production date 1930 1900
SubjectJudaica, Sephardi Jewry, Judaism
Object nameKiddush cup
Dimensions
- cup diameter: 62.00 mm
height: 97.00 mm
cover diameter: 65.00 mm
height: 42.00 mm
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Mr Issi Aaron