Name/Title

Small decorated drinking bowl

Entry/Object ID

K_0669

Tags

storage

Description

Small bowl, which would have been used by Jews in Afganistan for drinking arak on holidays and during celebrations. Richly adorned with decorations and inscriptions. At center, a large Star of David - framing the Hebrew word "Zion" - encircled by eight small framed images of fish, birds, animals, a table set with beverage vessels, and more. These illustrations in turn encircled by Hebrew dedicatory inscription: "May you be granted many pleasant years of life in the celebration of Jerusalem, may it be rebuilt and reestablished speedily in our time, It shall be health to thy naval, and marrow to thy bones. Hayyim son of Aharon...". Rim of bowl decorated with vegetal pattern interspersed with four small medallions, each with single Hebrew letter, which, together, give Hebrew year "5/6/9/4" (1934). Article on arak and its cultural significance and history: https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/food/articles/magic-arak-anise-flavored-liquor

Made/Created

Date made

1934

Place

* Untyped Place

Afghanistan

Continent

Asia

Region

Middle East

Dimensions

Height

9 cm

Material

Silver, cast and engraved