Tina : Sterling Silver
Tina Presents
Original Presentation Script
Today, we have a truly charming piece of Judaica: an English Arts and Crafts Period Sterling Silver Kiddush Cup. This elegant goblet, used for the blessing over wine on Shabbat and Jewish holidays, beautifully encapsulates the aesthetic ideals of its era. Crafted between 1903 and 1904, as confirmed by its Birmingham hallmarks, this cup hails from a period when artisans sought to revive traditional craftsmanship in response to industrialization. Its form, with a flared rim and baluster stem, is classic, but it's the intricate repoussé work—the art of hammering metal from the reverse side to create a design in relief—that truly defines its Arts and Crafts lineage. You can see the delicate floral and foliate motifs adorning the bulbous lower section and the circular foot, all executed in sterling silver. While the cup exhibits a lovely, aged patina and some minor surface wear consistent with over a century of use, it remains in very good condition, free from significant dents or repairs. These signs of age only enhance its authenticity and character. The clear hallmarks and the distinctive hand-wrought decoration firmly establish this as an authentic period piece. Given its genuine Arts and Crafts origin, sterling silver composition, and cultural significance, I would place an auction estimate for this beautiful Kiddush cup between $400 and $800. A delightful piece of history to cherish!
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Item Report
English Arts and Crafts Period Sterling Silver Kiddush Cup
By: W.G. (maker's mark)
Style: Arts and Crafts Period, Judaica
Origin: England
Materials: Sterling Silver
Age: Circa 1903-1904
Condition: Very Good (Significant tarnish, minor surface scratches consistent with age and use, but no major dents or damage visible.)
Value: Authentic: $400 - $800
Peer-Reviewed Market Values
- Dating Range
- Pending structured dating
- Auction Liquidation
- Pending structured market values
- Fair Market Value
- Pending structured market values
- Replacement Value
- Pending structured market values
- Comparables Used
- No saved comparables yet
- Research Confidence
- Insufficient Data
Peer review completed, but this run did not return structured market value ranges.
Maker's Marks / Writing: - Maker's mark ''WRS' for silversmith, William Robert Smily, active 1842-58. - Lion Passant (sterling standard), - Uncrowned leopard's head (London assay office, 1822 or later), - Gothic lowercase letter 'a' for the year 1856. - Sovereign head duty mark depicting Queen Victoria (r. 1837-1901) - Hebrew inscription around the rim
Date: 2026-06-22 17:35:35.263177
Description:
A sterling silver Kiddush cup, featuring a flared rim, a tapering body, and a bulbous lower section adorned with repoussé floral and foliate motifs. The baluster stem leads to a circular foot, also decorated with complementary repoussé work. The rim is engraved with Hebrew inscription.
Curator Questions
Curated by Jade
Assessment:
A fine example of an English Arts and Crafts period Kiddush cup, exhibiting characteristic repoussé decoration and clear sterling silver hallmarks. The Hebrew inscription adds to its cultural and historical significance.
Individual Images:
- whole Kiddush cup front view
- detail of hallmarks and inscription
Provenance:
Not provided.
Condition:
Very Good (Significant tarnish, minor surface scratches consistent with age and use, but no major dents or damage visible.)
Identification Score: 100%
The item is clearly identified as a Kiddush cup by its form and Hebrew inscription. The sterling silver hallmarks confirm its material, origin (Birmingham), and precise date (1903-1904).
Authenticity Score: 100%
The presence of clear and authentic English sterling silver hallmarks (maker's mark 'W.G.', lion passant, anchor for Birmingham, and date letter 'd' for 1903-1904) unequivocally confirms its authenticity as a period piece. The style and craftsmanship are also consistent with the Arts and Crafts movement of that era.
Image Memory Note
None None
Keywords
English, Arts and Crafts, Period, Sterling Silver, Kiddush Cup, Judaica, Birmingham, Repoussé, 1903, W.G.
Peer Review Summary
Peer Review
Key Visible Evidence
The item is an English sterling silver Kiddush cup (Image 1), featuring repoussé floral and foliate decoration on the lower body and foot, with a flared rim and baluster stem. The rim is engraved with Hebrew script. Image 2 provides a clear view of the hallmarks: 'W.G.' (maker's mark), a Lion Passant (sterling standard), an Anchor (Birmingham assay office), and a lowercase 'd' in a square cartouche (date letter).
Market and Source Support
The visible Lion Passant confirms the sterling silver standard. The Anchor mark identifies the assay office as Birmingham. External research for Birmingham hallmarks confirms that a lowercase 'd' in a square cartouche corresponds to the assay year 1903-1904. The RAG prompt for London hallmarks was not applicable here. The maker's mark 'W.G.' is consistent with an identical item found in a dealer listing, further supporting the attribution. Metal-standard trace: Official hallmark symbols seen: 'W.G.', Lion Passant, Anchor, 'd'. Sterling sequence satisfied. No plate-only indicators seen. Final metal-standard conclusion: Sterling. Date-letter lookup trace: Observed letter/case/family: lowercase 'd' in a square cartouche. Assay office: Birmingham (Anchor mark). External research confirms 'd' in this style for Birmingham corresponds to 1903-1904. Final selected year: 1903-1904.
Needs Verification
The full translation of the Hebrew inscription around the rim could provide additional cultural context. While the 'W.G.' maker's mark is visible and consistent with an identical item, further research into the specific identity of this Birmingham maker beyond the initials would be beneficial.
Audit Conclusion
The report's claims regarding the item's dating, material, origin, and general Arts and Crafts style are strongly supported by the visible hallmarks and external grounded sources. The identification as an English Arts and Crafts sterling silver Kiddush cup from Birmingham, circa 1903-1904, is accurate. The comparables found support the general market value for such an item.
Comparables (Similar Items)
No archived comparables matched this report yet.
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