Small drinking bowl ("jam-tas"). Afghanistan, 5694 [1934].
Silver, cast and engraved.
Small bowl, which would have been used by Jews in Afghanistan for drinking arak on holidays and during celebrations. Richly adorned with decorations and inscriptions. At center, a large Star of David – framing the Hebrew word "Zion" – encircled by eight small framed images of fish, birds, animals, a table set with beverage vessels, and more. These illustrations in turn encircled by Hebrew dedicatory inscription: "May you be granted many pleasant years of life in the celebration of Jerusalem, may it be rebuilt and reestablished speedily in our time, It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones, Hayyim son of Aharon…". Rim of bowl decorated with vegetal pattern interspersed with four small medallions, each with single Hebrew letter, which, together, give Hebrew year "5/6/9/4" (1934).
Diameter: 9 cm. Good condition.
Reference: Afghanistan: The Synagogue and the Jewish Home, item nos. 72-74.