German silver Kiddush cups survived the Second World War in only relatively small numbers but there were some treasured heirlooms, part of Jewish family festivals for generations, that were kept safe throughout the religion’s darkest times.

Extracted from Antiques Trade Gazette | Roland Arkell

The majority of surviving examples were made in Augsburg in the middle decades of the 18th century and assume a similar form to this example that surfaced with modest two-figure expectations at NL Auction Rooms (15% buyer’s premium) in London on February 3.

Engraved with a Hebrew blessing and the (possibly later) ownership inscription J Lazarus, it was clearly marked to both the raised foot and the octagonal bowl with the ‘loth’ weight 13 (denoting the silver fineness of 812 parts per 1000), the maker’s mark AK and town mark of Frankfurt am Main – once a centre for the manufacture of Jewish ceremonial silver.

Sufficient bidders spotted this example to send it to £4200.