Kiddush cup, made by Johann Carl Stiebeldey. Augsburg, Germany, 1745-1747.
Silver, repoussé and engraved (base and cup marked with Augsburg city mark, the letter "G"; and with maker’s mark, the initials "ICS" = Johann Carl Stiebeldey); remnants of gilt.
Octagonal kiddush cup, supported on an elegant, graduated, broad circular base. Cup and base with matching, symmetrical vegetal patterns. Dedicatory inscription (Hebrew) engraved just beneath rim of cup, on all eight facets: "Remember the Sabbath Day and keep it holy, as the Lord your G-d has commanded you" [blending of Shemot 20:8 with Devarim 5:12].
The silversmith Johann Carl Stiebeldey (or Stippeldey) was active in Augsburg in the years 1731-1765. For similar Kiddush cups he created, see: Kestenbaum and Company, New York, 6 December 2012, Lot 1 (from the collection of the Jewish Historical Society of England [JHSE]); Sotheby’s, New York, 24 November 2009, Lot 58.
Height: 14 cm. Diameter at base: 7 cm. Weight: 127 g. Overall good condition. Minor warping and fractures to base, mended with old soldering repairs to silver. Faded gilt. Parts soldered together. Slight corrosion to joints.
Reference: Marc Rosenberg, Der Goldschmiede Merkzeichen, Frankfurt A.M.: Frankfurter Verlags, 1922, Vol. 1., Nos. 251, 907-908.
Provenance: Probably Christie’s, Amsterdam, 1 June 1999, Lot 527.
