Throughout history, Kiddush cups have been passed down as treasured family heirlooms due to their profound religious and cultural significance. This fall, Sotheby’s will present a remarkable treasure: the earliest known Kiddush cup. Recent research dates the cup to the 11th or 12th century, and places it firmly on the Silk Route, in or around the historic region of Khorasan (home at the time to a thriving Jewish community). Not only is the “Cup of Joy” an extraordinary piece of history, its elegant inscriptions in both Hebrew and Arabic illustrate the richly intertwined histories of Islamic artistry and Jewish tradition. Examples of medieval Judaica are extremely rare, and–of the fewer than two dozen pieces that are known–this cup is the earliest.

For assistance with bidding and registration, please contact:

+1 212 606 7000

enquiries@sothebys.com

For all other enquiries please contact:

Sharon Liberman Mintz

International Senior Specialist

Books, Manuscripts & Textiles

+1 212 606 7385

Sharon.Mintz.consultant@sothebys.com

Richard Austin

Senior Vice President

Global Head of Department | Books & Manuscripts

+1 212 894 1642

Richard.Austin@sothebys.com

Dr. Kalika Sands

Vice President

Head of Department, Americas | Books & Manuscripts

+1 212 894 1642

Kalika.Sands@sothebys.com