What are these silver cups

[greenacres]

Mini cups and plate. The cups are marked. What do you think they?

[greenacres]

Markings and close up of cups.

[greenacres]

I think it's Kokoshnik. That's a Russian mark.

[greenacres]

They maybe Samovar cups. My mother in law's second husband's daughter took the Samovar.

[mart]

http://www.russiansamovars.com/product_detail.php?ID=1417

Whatever these are !!

[KC]

If they are short cups they are for drinking some spirits!  (Russian Vodka)  Ceremonial, Medicinal, Celebrate any occassion!

[mart]

http://judaism.about.com/od/judaismbasics/fl/What-is-Kiddush.htm

Read second paragraph in "How to perform kiddush"  Looks like you  have the tray and cups !!

[greenacres]

I know what a kiddish cup is. I just never saw one like that. KC is right about the vodka. I have to give them to the rightful owner. They were her grandparents. I will contact her. It goes with the Samovar

[KC]

What is interesting is that you will meet many Russian/Jews (we have friends in Siberia and here that are) that would have Kiddish Cups.  However, majority of Russians aren't Jewish (and are prejudicial still to this day because no being "pure" Russian) and they use small silver cups (not called Kiddish) for spirits and in the dead cold of winters will use for tea to warm their hands.  If they have bread/rolls they place them over the hot tea (with spirits added if need to warm the blood) and place the bread atop the glass to warm/soften it!   We enjoyed this practice when we were there during a Siberian Winter Storm! 

[KC]

By-the-way...would love to see what the Samovar looked like that was with this.  Is it a older one that operated with coals/embers?  Does it have any "seals" imprinted on it?  That can help in identifying the timeline/maker, etc.

[mart]

I know what a kiddish cup is. I just never saw one like that. KC is right about the vodka. I have to give them to the rightful owner. They were her grandparents. I will contact her. It goes with the Samovar

Glad you knew,, I sure did not !! Thats the only thing I could find that fit with the small size !!

[greenacres]

I just spoke with his daughter. I will ask her to take photos of the Samovar. I know it's large and brass. My mother in law gave it to her wher father died. I know it was her grandparents. Her father was 84 when he died and that was in 2001. From what read about the mark it was from 1899. Her is a photo of her dad on his high school basketball team. He is the first one on the top row.

[KC]

There can be many seals in addition to the maker's mark on an item.  My Aunt has one with 7 seals because it was shown during the Paris World Exhibition 1889.

[mart]

Neat pic !!  Wish I could help but Mr Coffee is more my area !!  I hear you can make tea in them too !!   

[ghopper1924]

Neat pic !!  Wish I could help but Mr Coffee is more my area !!  I hear you can make tea in them too !!   

That's right. Mr. Tea!  You're too funny.