What is this?

[rickmorton]

We found this small silver cup after my stepmother died. No one has any idea what it might be. It's a small cup, just a bit smaller than a shot glass. Says "sterling" on the bottom. The cup is hand-engraved with " E.N.Y. & A.B.A"  Under that is "OR." Under that is "1909 - 1925".
There are some designs on either side of the text as well as above and below running all the way around the cup. The initials, if that's what they are, don't match anyone in the family, or even any last name initial. She wasn't yet born in 1909. Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated. This one has us stumped.

[mart]

So it would likely have belonged to her parents rather than your stepmother !!  It could possibly be a communion cup !! Do you know anything about them,,what business were they in,, church affiliation,, groups they belonged to ect ??  What city/state did they live in ??

[rickmorton]

She was jewish, so I doubt it's a communion cup. No one lived in Oregon that we know of.
The 1909 - 1925 would be 16 years, but that doesn't ring any bells, either.

[KC]

Knowing that she was Jewish, this could well likely be a Kiddush Cup!

[mart]

Could be simply a keepsake from someone she knew !!  My family has always done that,,I have keepsakes from many relatives who have died !!  They are just to remember someone !!

[greenacres]

A kiddish cup usually has a stem.

[KC]

Antique Kiddush cups were more likely to not have a stem. (I found that out several years back when I got advised about it!) 

Just google Antique Kiddush Cup and you will see quite a few!

[mart]

It may be what it looks like,, a shot glass !! I found nothing on ENY initials but the ABA was American Bar Association on all my searches !! !909-1925 perhaps the years practicing or years with a particular law firm !!  Would help to know some family history !!    Is there an (&) sign between the letters ENY and ABA ??

[greenacres]

Sorry KC being Jewish I've never seen one like that.

[Melodie]

Is it too small to be a gaming cup for dice?

[mart]

Melody, I think he said it was slightly smaller than a shot glass !!

[Melodie]

 Sorry Mart you are right. I'm being dim 

[greenacres]

http://www.russiansamovars.com/kiddush-cups.php

KC is absolutely right! Check these out! The cup could turn out to be quite valuable!

[KC]

Greenacres, glad you found those.  I believe it was explained that the smaller ones were more affordable...still expensive and highly prized.  The stemmed pieces were more expensive.

I never to profess to know it all because Lord knows I don't.  Just gleaned little bits of this and that along the way.  Glad we can all learn together here Greenacres!  Glad I could help out this time.

[greenacres]

Thank you KC. Something I can tell my family about.