Jewish Ritual Objects Attract Strong Bidding
30th October 2019
A pair of 18th century silver Kiddush cups have sold at auction in Salisbury for almost £6,000 as part of a small private collection of Judaica.
The cups made by German silversmith, G N Bierfreund, and bearing an inscription around the rim above a continuous band of flowers, sold to a London dealer for a hammer price of £4,700.
The collection included two silver-mounted Jewish prayer books, one printed by famed Venetian printers Stamparia Bragadina, which sold for £4,750 including buyer’s premium. A 19th century silver filigree Torah scroll holder fetched £1,250, while an 18th century German silver Yad totalled £2,000.
The six lots (being sold by an English collector) were hotly contested by dealers and private buyers across the UK, Continental Europe and north America and proved that the market for Judaica silver remains strong.
“Objects from 18th century Europe always appeal to collectors of Judaica,” said Rupert Slingsby, Head of Silver at Woolley and Wallis. “These ritualistic pieces have been used as part of Jewish festival ceremonies for hundreds of years and have been treasured and kept safe throughout the religion’s darkest times. As such, they hold an extra special significance.”
A total of £18,875 was realised for the six lots as part of the Silver and Objects of Vertu auction on Tuesday 29th October.
