The “Cup of Joy”—the oldest surviving kiddush cup—is one of the most remarkable medieval objects to come to auction in recent years. On Shabbat Shuvah, Sotheby’s Sharon Mintz explains the significance of the kiddush cup in Jewish tradition—and the rarity of the Cup of Joy, which dates to the 11th-12th century and is the earliest surviving medieval Jewish ritual object. Most unique, however, is an inscription in Hebrew on the body, which gives the name of the owner and wishes him a long life. Bridging cultures and faiths, it’s a testament to cross-cultural influences along the Silk Route and an extraordinary example of the luxury arts of the Seljuk period, it is unparalleled. Via sothebys #shabbat #jewishstories #jewishhistory