Sotheby’s has revealed the earliest known Kiddush cup in existence, a rare medieval Jewish artifact dating back to the Silk Road era. Known as “The Cup of Joy,” this extraordinary treasure features a unique pairing of Hebrew and Arabic inscriptions, making it a rare symbol of cross-cultural heritage and one of the most significant Jewish ceremonial objects ever discovered.
Kiddush cups, the most ubiquitous ritual object in Jewish homes, serve to sanctify the Shabbat and Jewish holidays. Traditionally crafted as luxury items from silver or other fine materials, these cups range from elaborately decorated and engraved heirlooms passed through generations to simpler, more understated forms.
The historic silver cup—believed to be the oldest surviving Kiddush cup—will be on public display for the first time at Sotheby’s London from 25–29 April 2025.
This remarkable piece of Jewish history is expected to fetch between $3 million and $5 million when it goes under the hammer at Sotheby’s New York auction in October.
Blending religious, historical, and artistic significance, The Cup of Joy is a once-in-a-generation discovery that sheds new light on medieval Jewish life and intercultural exchange along the Silk Road.
For collectors, historians, and art lovers alike, this auction presents a rare opportunity to witness and own a piece of ancient Judaica with global cultural impact.
“This cup is an extraordinarily rare record of the existence and importance of Jewish communities in Central Asia in the Middle Ages, and of their cultural and artistic exchanges with the surrounding Islamic world,” said Sharon Liberman Mintz, Sotheby’s International Senior Judaica Specialist, Books & Manuscripts. “Bearing inscriptions in both Hebrew and Arabic, the cup was not only used to sanctify Jewish ritual, but also embodied a shared artistic language across faiths, and its survival for nearly a millennium is truly remarkable. No other medieval Judaica artefact of this early date is known to exist. We’re particularly excited to be announcing this cup on the eve of Passover, at which the Kiddush cup plays such a central role – the vessel for the wine that is blessed and consumed at the Seder.”
This Kiddush cup’s design echoes a rare and exquisite group of silver artifacts crafted in Central Asia during the 11th and 12th centuries. The scarcity of such precious objects today is a result of historical events: many were buried or concealed, often in hoards, during periods of turmoil like the conquests of Genghis Khan, while others were lost to the practice of melting down older silver for reuse in new items and currency.
