Oldest Known Kiddush Cup, “The Cup of Joy,” Unveiled by Sotheby’s, to Be Displayed in London Before Multi-Million Pound Auction

By: Fern Sidman

In a groundbreaking revelation for the world of Judaica and medieval history, Sotheby’s has unveiled what is now recognized as the oldest known Kiddush cup in existence—a rare silver goblet dating back nearly a thousand years. Known as the “Cup of Joy,” the artifact will make its public debut in London later this month, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness a surviving relic of Jewish life from the medieval Silk Road era.

As first reported by The Jewish News of the UK, the goblet—crafted in the 11th or 12th century—is estimated to sell for between £2.4 million and £4 million when it goes under the hammer at Sotheby’s New York auction this October. Its significance is matched by its beauty and provenance, with scholars hailing it as the only surviving example of medieval Judaica from such an early period.

“This cup is an extraordinarily rare record of the existence and importance of Jewish communities in Central Asia and in the Middle Ages,” said Sharon Liberman Mintz, Sotheby’s International Senior Judaica Specialist. “Its survival for nearly a millennium is truly remarkable.”

The “Cup of Joy” is believed to originate from Khorasan, a historical region spanning parts of modern-day northeastern Iran, southern Turkmenistan, and northern Afghanistan—a once-flourishing hub of Jewish culture and commerce nestled along the Silk Road. During the medieval period, this region was a vibrant center of interfaith and intercultural exchange.

As The Jewish News of the UK reported, the goblet’s craftsmanship and inscriptions offer a unique window into that world. Made of finely hammered silver, it is decorated with inscriptions in both Hebrew and Arabic, a striking testament to the multicultural reality of Jewish life in the Islamic world of the Middle Ages.

The Hebrew engraving reads: “Simcha son of Salman, Simcha may he live for Eternity.”

Accompanying that is an Arabic inscription: “With Good-fortune, and Blessing, and Joy and Joy, and Happiness… Long Life to its owner.”

Experts believe the repeated use of the word “joy” in both languages—“Simcha” in Hebrew and “Surur” in Arabic—reflects a sophisticated and deeply symbolic form of interfaith artistic dialogue. The doubling of the word in both tongues is seen as a deliberate design choice that merges linguistic, cultural, and religious themes—making the artifact not only a ritual object but also a bridge between worlds.

According to the information provided in The Jewish News of the UK report, the Kiddush cup was discovered within a private collection, though details of its provenance remain closely guarded. Its survival over the centuries is as improbable as it is precious—evading the threats of conquest, decay, and cultural erasure that have claimed countless artifacts from the same era.

That the goblet is a Kiddush cup, used in Jewish ritual to sanctify wine on the Sabbath and holidays, elevates its significance. It offers not only a rare physical link to medieval Jewish practice but also a tangible connection to the people and communities who once lived in regions of the world where Jewish life has long since vanished.

For the first time, the “Cup of Joy” will go on public display at Sotheby’s London from April 25 to April 29, as part of the auction house’s Islamic, Orientalist & Middle Eastern Art Week. The Jewish News of the UK reported that Its placement in this cross-cultural exhibition highlights its thematic resonance as both Judaica and an expression of Islamic-era artistry.

Scholars and collectors are expected to travel from around the world to see the goblet, whose rarity and beauty have already drawn comparisons to other foundational works of religious and medieval art.

While Kiddush cups are common in Jewish households and ceremonial life, none known today come close in age or historical value to the “Cup of Joy.” Its interwoven Hebrew and Arabic blessings offer a timeless message—one of shared humanity, cross-cultural expression, and the sacredness of life, as was reported by The Jewish News of the UK.

The cup’s upcoming sale in New York will not just be a moment of high-stakes bidding, but a pivotal moment in the preservation and celebration of Jewish cultural history, as per the information in The Jewish News of the UK report. Whether it lands in a museum or remains in private hands, its emergence is a reminder of the rich and complex tapestry of Jewish life throughout the centuries—and of the stories that artifacts like this still have to tell.