Miriam's Cup

Artist Amy Reichert American, born 1959

Fabricator J. Grygiel American

Date2023

MediumSterling silver, brushed limestone, black Vermont slate, brass, copper, and aluminum leaf

Dimensionsheight, width, and depth (brass cup): 3 3/16 × 5 3/8 × 4 3/8 in. (8.1 × 13.7 × 11.1cm)
height, width, and depth (slate cup): 2 1/16 × 6 3/4 × 4 1/2 in. (5.2 × 17.1 × 11.4cm)
height, width, and depth (silver cups with stone): 1 1/2 × 8 3/8 × 7 1/4 in. (3.8 × 21.3 × 18.4cm)

ClassificationsMetal

Credit LineGiven in loving memory of Evelyn Jacobs Levin

Object number2023.7.1a-c

On View

On view

Label TextThe inclusion of a Miriam’s cup in the Passover seder is a recent innovation in Jewish practice, with roots in the women’s movement of the 1970s. Most Miriam’s cups have drawn inspiration from the legend of a miraculous well that followed the Israelites during the Exodus and was attributed to the biblical prophetess Miriam, sister of Moses.

Here Reichert extends the symbolism of the cup with a three-part ensemble that highlights not only Miriam’s well (rear left, gilded brass) but also Miriam’s role in saving the infant Moses at the Nile (rear right, black slate) and leading the Israelites in a song of victory after the parting of the Red Sea (front, silver).
[S. Burrus, "The People's Collection, Reimagined," 2023]ProvenanceDesigned by Amy Reichert and fabricated by Jen Grygiel, 2023; sold to NCMA, 2023.Exhibition HistoryRaleigh, North Carolina, North Carolina Museum of Art, "Spotlight: Recent Gifts to the Judaic Collection," November 17, 2023-January 28, 2024.

Raleigh, NC, North Carolina Museum of Art, "The People's Collection, Reimagined," January 30-March 26, 2024.

Raleigh, NC, North Carolina Museum of Art, "Freedom Seder," March 27, 2024.

Raleigh, NC, "North Carolina Museum of Art, "The People's Collection, Reimagined," April 1, 2024-present. Object Rights Statement

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