Marriage cup
On View In:
Gallery 362
Artist:   Michael Ende  
Title:   Marriage cup  
Date:   c. 1985  
Medium:   Sterling silver, gold plating  
Dimensions:   5 1/4 x 2 7/16 x 2 7/16 in. (13.34 x 6.19 x 6.19 cm)  
Credit Line:   Gift of Kenneth and Sally Leafman Appelbaum  
Location:   Gallery 362  

Rooted in biblical understanding, betrothal and marriage are used as an important metaphor for the relationship between Israel and God, therefore making marriage an important event personally and symbolically. As such, weddings are considered holy, religious events as evidenced through numerous prayers, blessings, and beautifully fashioned sacred objects. Traditionally during the marriage ceremony, seven blessings, known as the “Sheva B’rachot” (שבע ברכות ), are said over a cup of wine. This marriage cup gives reference to these blessings through its two openwork rings of text. Included are phrases borrowed directly from the Seven Blessings that bless God for creating “the fruit of the vine” ( הגפנ פרי בורא) and creating “everything for God’s glory” ( לכבודו ברא שהכל ). These blessings also praise God for creating man and woman in the image of God, for bringing children, for bringing joy onto the couple, and for bringing peace onto the Jerusalem and, by extension, the earth.

Artist/Creator(s)     
Name:   Ende, Michael  
Role:   Silversmith  
Nationality:   Israeli  
Life Dates:   Israeli, born 1945  
 

Object Description  
  
Inscriptions:   Marks at interior bottom of small cup, stamped: [MADE IN ISRAEL/ STERLING]; at rim of small cup, stamped:  
Classification:   Judaica  
Physical Description:   small cup on one end and larger cup on opposite end, gold-plated at interiors; silver movable ring covers one of 2 openwork rings of text between cups- ring falls when cup is turned over  
Creation Place:   , Israel, , , Jerusalem  
Accession #:   2003.228.27  
Owner:   The Minneapolis Institute of Arts