Auction 61 - Rare and Important Items
Displaying 85 - 96 of 134
Auction 61 - Rare and Important Items
April 24, 2018
Opening: $1,500
Sold for: $2,125
Including buyer's premium
A miniature Torah Shield. [Germany, late 19th century].
Cast and engraved silver; gilt.
A miniature Torah shield, ornamented at the margins with vegetal patterns. Two Tablets of the Law at the center with two engraved crowns and the Ten Commandments. On both sides of the Tablets of the Law appear two flying cherubs, supporting with their hands a Torah Crown. Below the Tablets of the Law is a small box that can be opened for placing changeable gilt plaques, with a screw shaped as a flower. Within the box are three double-sided plaques. A suspension chain is fixed at the back of the shield.
8X7 cm. Good condition. Some stains; few defects at the back. Worn gilding.
Cast and engraved silver; gilt.
A miniature Torah shield, ornamented at the margins with vegetal patterns. Two Tablets of the Law at the center with two engraved crowns and the Ten Commandments. On both sides of the Tablets of the Law appear two flying cherubs, supporting with their hands a Torah Crown. Below the Tablets of the Law is a small box that can be opened for placing changeable gilt plaques, with a screw shaped as a flower. Within the box are three double-sided plaques. A suspension chain is fixed at the back of the shield.
8X7 cm. Good condition. Some stains; few defects at the back. Worn gilding.
Catalogue
Auction 61 - Rare and Important Items
April 24, 2018
Opening: $2,000
Sold for: $12,500
Including buyer's premium
Esther Scroll on parchment, in an elaborate filigree case, given as a gift to a groom. Praszka (Poland), dedication dated 1838.
Ink on parchment; cast and engraved silver; filigree, gilding; gemstones.
"HaMelech" Scroll (most columns open with "HaMelech"), with ornamented serifs (Tagim). Fine scribal writing. 22 lines per column.
The scroll is housed in a filigree case inlaid with gemstones, topped with a crown. A ring is attached to the clasp for pulling out the scroll, designed as a snake biting its tail and inlaid with a gemstone. An engraved dedication appears on the bottom of the case, on a silver plaque: "the groom Avraham son of Haim Kempner, in Praszka, 5598" (Hebrew).
A Jewish community resided in the town of Praszka in the Opole Voivodeship, near the Czechoslovakian border, since the early 17th century. In 1812 Haim (Joachim) Kempner, father of the receiver of this Esther Scroll, leased the foundry in the village of Grabow from the owner, Prince Radziwiłł. From the 1820s Kempner grew agricultural produce and cattle on the lands which he leased, and in 1832 he was the first Jew in Poland who got permission to acquire lands (for more information about Kempner and the Jewish community in Praszka, see: Pinkas HaKehilot, Yad Vashem, Jerusalem, 1976. First volume, pp.204-205).
Height of parchment: 8.5 cm. Height of case: approx. 24.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Handle is broken and detached. Clasp is almost totally detached (unraveled sewing). One of the crown's staves is lacking. Bent crown. Bends. Breaks. Lacking gemstones. Minute holes to parchment.
Ink on parchment; cast and engraved silver; filigree, gilding; gemstones.
"HaMelech" Scroll (most columns open with "HaMelech"), with ornamented serifs (Tagim). Fine scribal writing. 22 lines per column.
The scroll is housed in a filigree case inlaid with gemstones, topped with a crown. A ring is attached to the clasp for pulling out the scroll, designed as a snake biting its tail and inlaid with a gemstone. An engraved dedication appears on the bottom of the case, on a silver plaque: "the groom Avraham son of Haim Kempner, in Praszka, 5598" (Hebrew).
A Jewish community resided in the town of Praszka in the Opole Voivodeship, near the Czechoslovakian border, since the early 17th century. In 1812 Haim (Joachim) Kempner, father of the receiver of this Esther Scroll, leased the foundry in the village of Grabow from the owner, Prince Radziwiłł. From the 1820s Kempner grew agricultural produce and cattle on the lands which he leased, and in 1832 he was the first Jew in Poland who got permission to acquire lands (for more information about Kempner and the Jewish community in Praszka, see: Pinkas HaKehilot, Yad Vashem, Jerusalem, 1976. First volume, pp.204-205).
Height of parchment: 8.5 cm. Height of case: approx. 24.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Handle is broken and detached. Clasp is almost totally detached (unraveled sewing). One of the crown's staves is lacking. Bent crown. Bends. Breaks. Lacking gemstones. Minute holes to parchment.
Catalogue
Auction 61 - Rare and Important Items
April 24, 2018
Opening: $2,000
Sold for: $6,000
Including buyer's premium
Esther Scroll in a silver case. Ottoman Empire, [late 19th or early 20th century].
Ink on parchment; silver (marked; blurred marks), repouseé and engraved.
"HaMelelch" Scroll (most columns open with "HaMelech"). Scribal script in Iraqi style, on parchment, 14 lines per column.
The scroll is housed in a massive case ornamented with dense, symmetric, vegetal patterns. An oval medallion (blank) appears in the center of the case. Cylindrical handle, also decorated with a vegetal pattern (removable). Pink velvet lining in the slit from which the scroll is rolled out.
Height of parchment: 14 cm. Height of case: approx. 35.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Some corrosion. Some bends. Cloth is worn and partly lacking. Some stains to parchment.
Ink on parchment; silver (marked; blurred marks), repouseé and engraved.
"HaMelelch" Scroll (most columns open with "HaMelech"). Scribal script in Iraqi style, on parchment, 14 lines per column.
The scroll is housed in a massive case ornamented with dense, symmetric, vegetal patterns. An oval medallion (blank) appears in the center of the case. Cylindrical handle, also decorated with a vegetal pattern (removable). Pink velvet lining in the slit from which the scroll is rolled out.
Height of parchment: 14 cm. Height of case: approx. 35.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Some corrosion. Some bends. Cloth is worn and partly lacking. Some stains to parchment.
Catalogue
Auction 61 - Rare and Important Items
April 24, 2018
Opening: $1,000
Sold for: $4,250
Including buyer's premium
A four branched synagogue Menorah. [Poland, 19th century].
Cast, chased and engraved brass.
The Menorah stands on a round base topped with an open crown decorated with clover-like flowers. A leg is elevated from the crown, decorated with bulges with curving stems growing out of its top. Between the stems appear two lions with extended tongues, supporting a crown with a vegetal decoration on top. On top of the stems are four oil fonts in shallow plates and between them a wide and short oil font bearing the symbol of the two-headed eagle. Holes are pierced in the branches and plates with lattice-work decorations hanging from them.
Height: approx. 54 cm. Width: 38 cm. Good condition. Bends. Defects. Corrosion. Small break to head of eagle. Broken and lacking pendants. One plate differs from the others.
Cast, chased and engraved brass.
The Menorah stands on a round base topped with an open crown decorated with clover-like flowers. A leg is elevated from the crown, decorated with bulges with curving stems growing out of its top. Between the stems appear two lions with extended tongues, supporting a crown with a vegetal decoration on top. On top of the stems are four oil fonts in shallow plates and between them a wide and short oil font bearing the symbol of the two-headed eagle. Holes are pierced in the branches and plates with lattice-work decorations hanging from them.
Height: approx. 54 cm. Width: 38 cm. Good condition. Bends. Defects. Corrosion. Small break to head of eagle. Broken and lacking pendants. One plate differs from the others.
Catalogue
Auction 61 - Rare and Important Items
April 24, 2018
Opening: $2,000
Unsold
Massive, upright menorah. [Poland or Austria, late 19th or early 20th century].
Cast brass, etched and sawn. Marked (on the bottom of one leg): "Made in Austria".
The menorah has a round, graded base placed on a square and stylized support with four short legs. Above the base is a round disc decorated with circles and triangles, above which is a flattened ball shape. Two branches rise from the ball, connected by a Star-of-David-shaped decoration. The two branches are entwined at the top and from them extend additional entwined branches, between which are two lions facing each other, their tongues extended. The oil fonts are inserted in shallow plates.
Height: 63 cm. Width: 56 cm. Good condition. Corrosion. Stains. Bends. One of the side branches is bent inwards.
Cast brass, etched and sawn. Marked (on the bottom of one leg): "Made in Austria".
The menorah has a round, graded base placed on a square and stylized support with four short legs. Above the base is a round disc decorated with circles and triangles, above which is a flattened ball shape. Two branches rise from the ball, connected by a Star-of-David-shaped decoration. The two branches are entwined at the top and from them extend additional entwined branches, between which are two lions facing each other, their tongues extended. The oil fonts are inserted in shallow plates.
Height: 63 cm. Width: 56 cm. Good condition. Corrosion. Stains. Bends. One of the side branches is bent inwards.
Catalogue
Auction 61 - Rare and Important Items
April 24, 2018
Opening: $3,500
Unsold
A large hanging memorial lamp for a synagogue. [Essaouira (Mogador)?], Morocco, dedication from 1930.
Silver (marked), cast, engraved and soldered.
The lamp is ornamented with a strip of vegetal patterns with three stylized handles attached to it. A dedication is engraved below this strip: "For lighting an eternal candle in memory of… Pinchas M. Toby…". A large slotted ball appears on the base of the lamp surrounded by an engraved star with eight points and vegetal decorations. Three chains hang from the lamp's handles and are set at their ends in a silver dome with a suspension loop.
In the collection of ketubot (marriage contracts) of the Israel Museum is a ketubah recording the marriage of Shlomo son of Pinchas son of Moshe Toby with Masuda daughter of Masuda daughter of Ya'akov son of Yosef Afriat from Mogador (Essaouira), from the year 1893.
For a similar lamp see: Morocco, Jews and Art in a Muslim Land, edited by Vivian B. Mann. Published by Merrell, New York, 2000. Item no. 20.
Height: approx. 32 cm. Diameter: approx. 25 cm. Total length: approx. 85 cm. Weight: 2.30 Kg. Bends. Breaks. Rough soldering repairs.
Silver (marked), cast, engraved and soldered.
The lamp is ornamented with a strip of vegetal patterns with three stylized handles attached to it. A dedication is engraved below this strip: "For lighting an eternal candle in memory of… Pinchas M. Toby…". A large slotted ball appears on the base of the lamp surrounded by an engraved star with eight points and vegetal decorations. Three chains hang from the lamp's handles and are set at their ends in a silver dome with a suspension loop.
In the collection of ketubot (marriage contracts) of the Israel Museum is a ketubah recording the marriage of Shlomo son of Pinchas son of Moshe Toby with Masuda daughter of Masuda daughter of Ya'akov son of Yosef Afriat from Mogador (Essaouira), from the year 1893.
For a similar lamp see: Morocco, Jews and Art in a Muslim Land, edited by Vivian B. Mann. Published by Merrell, New York, 2000. Item no. 20.
Height: approx. 32 cm. Diameter: approx. 25 cm. Total length: approx. 85 cm. Weight: 2.30 Kg. Bends. Breaks. Rough soldering repairs.
Catalogue
Auction 61 - Rare and Important Items
April 24, 2018
Opening: $1,000
Sold for: $1,375
Including buyer's premium
Hanukkah lamp. Tetouan, Morocco, [late 19th or early 20th century].
Tin brass, cut, bent and engraved; cast brass, engraved and soldered, chiseling.
The back plate is arched and decorated with a symmetrical vegetal pattern. In its center is the seven-branched menorah surmounted by the Hebrew inscription, "The seven lamps shall give light in front of the lampstand". Flanking the menorah's base are two jugs with Hebrew inscriptions reading "Blessed are you when you enter" and "Blessed are you when you depart". Flanking its top are engraved birds. On both sides are spiraling columns with sharpened crowns. The shamash is set in the middle, above the menorah. The cast row of fonts is placed inside a catch basin. The lamp has two side panels decorated with a symmetrical vegetal pattern. At the top of the lamp is a loop for hanging.
Height: 31 cm. Width: 23.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Bends. Soldering repairs. Loose joints. Missing nails. The hinges connecting the side panels to the lamp are mostly missing and replaced with improvised joints. Small break to catch basin. The hoop usually set inside the hanging loop is missing.
See: North African Lights: Hanukkah Lamps from the Zeyde Schulmann Collection, The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, Chaya Benjamin. Jerusalem (2002), pp. 34-35.
Tin brass, cut, bent and engraved; cast brass, engraved and soldered, chiseling.
The back plate is arched and decorated with a symmetrical vegetal pattern. In its center is the seven-branched menorah surmounted by the Hebrew inscription, "The seven lamps shall give light in front of the lampstand". Flanking the menorah's base are two jugs with Hebrew inscriptions reading "Blessed are you when you enter" and "Blessed are you when you depart". Flanking its top are engraved birds. On both sides are spiraling columns with sharpened crowns. The shamash is set in the middle, above the menorah. The cast row of fonts is placed inside a catch basin. The lamp has two side panels decorated with a symmetrical vegetal pattern. At the top of the lamp is a loop for hanging.
Height: 31 cm. Width: 23.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Bends. Soldering repairs. Loose joints. Missing nails. The hinges connecting the side panels to the lamp are mostly missing and replaced with improvised joints. Small break to catch basin. The hoop usually set inside the hanging loop is missing.
See: North African Lights: Hanukkah Lamps from the Zeyde Schulmann Collection, The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, Chaya Benjamin. Jerusalem (2002), pp. 34-35.
Catalogue
Auction 61 - Rare and Important Items
April 24, 2018
Opening: $2,500
Sold for: $4,000
Including buyer's premium
Six ceramic tiles with inscriptions in Hebrew, from the Mellah (Jewish Quarter) of Fes. [Fes, Morocco, 1884 or 1874].
Clay tiles, painted and glazed.
Set of six tiles for suspension in two rows (one above the other) on the outer wall of the house, with the blessing "Baruch Ata Bevo’acha Baruch Ata Betzetcha" (You shall be blessed when you come, and you shall be blessed when you depart), names and verses for protection of the house and its people.
On each of the six tiles appear three words (in Hebrew) in three lines, that create - when tiles are arranged in two rows - three lines of a text: a line with the names of G-d, a line with the blessing of the house and a line with the writing "sof adam lamut" ("The end of man is to die"; upper row), and the name of the patriarchs with the year in which the tiles were created (lower row). The gematria value of the patriarchs' names as they appear on the tiles indicates that the tiles were created in 1884 (or in 1874, depending on the spelling of Yitzchak).
In addition to the text, the tiles are decorated in blue and pale blue colors, with pointed arches and vegetal patterns covering the entire surface.
"Fes was the most important center for clay vessels in Morocco. Most items were for daily use, in particular kitchen utensils. However, apart for these, large quantities of tiles were produced in Fes and were used as an architectural decoration. Most items were decorated with paint and then glazed… In the years 1853-1881 blue was the dominating color..." (Hebrew). (Pottery from Morocco 19th-20th century C.E, by Rachel Hasson. Published by the Museum for Islamic Art, Jerusalem, 1982, p.4).
According to the owner, these tiles were set in one of the walls of the Mellah in the town of Fes.
Only a small number of Moroccan clay items with an inscription in Hebrew is known.
Size of each tile: approx.10X8 cm. Fair condition. Breaks and lacking pieces. Defects to decorations, to glaze, to paint and to text.
Clay tiles, painted and glazed.
Set of six tiles for suspension in two rows (one above the other) on the outer wall of the house, with the blessing "Baruch Ata Bevo’acha Baruch Ata Betzetcha" (You shall be blessed when you come, and you shall be blessed when you depart), names and verses for protection of the house and its people.
On each of the six tiles appear three words (in Hebrew) in three lines, that create - when tiles are arranged in two rows - three lines of a text: a line with the names of G-d, a line with the blessing of the house and a line with the writing "sof adam lamut" ("The end of man is to die"; upper row), and the name of the patriarchs with the year in which the tiles were created (lower row). The gematria value of the patriarchs' names as they appear on the tiles indicates that the tiles were created in 1884 (or in 1874, depending on the spelling of Yitzchak).
In addition to the text, the tiles are decorated in blue and pale blue colors, with pointed arches and vegetal patterns covering the entire surface.
"Fes was the most important center for clay vessels in Morocco. Most items were for daily use, in particular kitchen utensils. However, apart for these, large quantities of tiles were produced in Fes and were used as an architectural decoration. Most items were decorated with paint and then glazed… In the years 1853-1881 blue was the dominating color..." (Hebrew). (Pottery from Morocco 19th-20th century C.E, by Rachel Hasson. Published by the Museum for Islamic Art, Jerusalem, 1982, p.4).
According to the owner, these tiles were set in one of the walls of the Mellah in the town of Fes.
Only a small number of Moroccan clay items with an inscription in Hebrew is known.
Size of each tile: approx.10X8 cm. Fair condition. Breaks and lacking pieces. Defects to decorations, to glaze, to paint and to text.
Catalogue
Auction 61 - Rare and Important Items
April 24, 2018
Opening: $1,000
Sold for: $1,250
Including buyer's premium
Matching necklace and bracelet used as amulets. [Europe, early 20th century?].
1. Necklace made of gilt silver mesh.
In the middle of the necklace is an oval pendant inlaid with a gemstone, embossed on the reverse with the Hebrew letters kof, resh, ayin [the first initials of "Kabel Rinat Amcha" ("Receive your people's song") from the Kabbalist liturgical song "Ana Be'Koach"]. Beside it are four round, smaller pendants, also inlaid with gemstones. On the back of each one a Hebrew letter is embossed: yod, heh, heh and vav, which together create the tetragrammaton. The necklace can be fastened around the neck like a belt, with the buckle and hoop granulated.
Length: 47 cm. Width: 1.5 cm. Good condition. Some stains. Gilding worn.
2. Bracelet made of gilt silver mesh.
On the bracelet are three round pendants inlaid with gemstones, embossed on the reverse with the letters kof, resh, ayin. The bracelet can be fastened on the wrist like a belt, with the buckle and hoop granulated.
Length: 23 cm, width: 1.5 cm. Good condition. Some stains. Gilding worn.
These jewelry pieces were used as a "secret" amulet, since the letters carrying the protective-kabbalist quality are concealed on their reverse side. Usually, in the jewelry tradition of Jewish communities, the jewelry worn by Jews differed from that of the surrounding cultures only in its shape, its different decorations, in its uses which were unique to Jews, or in the different technique used to make them; rare are the pieces of jewelry displaying a typically Jewish character, such as Hebrew letters.
1. Necklace made of gilt silver mesh.
In the middle of the necklace is an oval pendant inlaid with a gemstone, embossed on the reverse with the Hebrew letters kof, resh, ayin [the first initials of "Kabel Rinat Amcha" ("Receive your people's song") from the Kabbalist liturgical song "Ana Be'Koach"]. Beside it are four round, smaller pendants, also inlaid with gemstones. On the back of each one a Hebrew letter is embossed: yod, heh, heh and vav, which together create the tetragrammaton. The necklace can be fastened around the neck like a belt, with the buckle and hoop granulated.
Length: 47 cm. Width: 1.5 cm. Good condition. Some stains. Gilding worn.
2. Bracelet made of gilt silver mesh.
On the bracelet are three round pendants inlaid with gemstones, embossed on the reverse with the letters kof, resh, ayin. The bracelet can be fastened on the wrist like a belt, with the buckle and hoop granulated.
Length: 23 cm, width: 1.5 cm. Good condition. Some stains. Gilding worn.
These jewelry pieces were used as a "secret" amulet, since the letters carrying the protective-kabbalist quality are concealed on their reverse side. Usually, in the jewelry tradition of Jewish communities, the jewelry worn by Jews differed from that of the surrounding cultures only in its shape, its different decorations, in its uses which were unique to Jews, or in the different technique used to make them; rare are the pieces of jewelry displaying a typically Jewish character, such as Hebrew letters.
Catalogue
Auction 61 - Rare and Important Items
April 24, 2018
Opening: $4,500
Unsold
1. Box for circumcision tools, product of Bezalel, Jerusalem, [1916].
Silver; etching; velvet. Marked: "Bezalel Jerusalem" and dated "5676" [1916].
Rectangular box with a hinged lid. Decorated with entwined vine tendrils and grape clusters and the Hebrew inscriptions: "You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins", "Circumcision" and "He that is eight days old among you shall be circumcised". The inside of the box is padded with green velvet.
9X19 cm, height: 3 cm. Good condition. Some stains. Bends. Scrapes. Velvet padding missing on inside of lid. Velvet worn and stained.
2. Shield for circumcision, product of Bezalel, Jerusalem, [ca. 1916].
Silver; etching. Marked: "Bezalel Jerusalem".
On one side of the shield is the Hebrew inscription "Magen Brit" (circumcision shield) and on the other, "He who commanded us to be circumcised". Grape cluster and leaf decorations matching the box decorations.
Length: 6.5 cm, width: 4 cm.
Silver; etching; velvet. Marked: "Bezalel Jerusalem" and dated "5676" [1916].
Rectangular box with a hinged lid. Decorated with entwined vine tendrils and grape clusters and the Hebrew inscriptions: "You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins", "Circumcision" and "He that is eight days old among you shall be circumcised". The inside of the box is padded with green velvet.
9X19 cm, height: 3 cm. Good condition. Some stains. Bends. Scrapes. Velvet padding missing on inside of lid. Velvet worn and stained.
2. Shield for circumcision, product of Bezalel, Jerusalem, [ca. 1916].
Silver; etching. Marked: "Bezalel Jerusalem".
On one side of the shield is the Hebrew inscription "Magen Brit" (circumcision shield) and on the other, "He who commanded us to be circumcised". Grape cluster and leaf decorations matching the box decorations.
Length: 6.5 cm, width: 4 cm.
Catalogue
Auction 61 - Rare and Important Items
April 24, 2018
Opening: $5,000
Unsold
A silver cigar box, with an engraved dedication to the chief rabbi of Vienna. Vienna, 1928.
Silver (marked); wood. Manufacturer's mark "M. Oestrreicher, Wien" and the initials JL.
A silver cigar box, awarded by the Jewish Women Association in Währing district, Vienna, to the city's rabbi, Rabbi Dr. David Feuchtwang (1864-1936) on the 25th anniversary of his service in this position.
On the inner side of the lid appears an engraved dedication: "In Verehrung, Seiner Ehrwürden Herrn Rabbiner Dr. D. Feuchtwang, zu seinem 25 jährigen Wiener Amtsjubiläum, vom Vorstand des isr. Frauenverein Währing, 1928".
18X12.5 cm. Height: 5.5 cm. Good condition. Slight defect to corner of lid. Some scratches and stains.
Silver (marked); wood. Manufacturer's mark "M. Oestrreicher, Wien" and the initials JL.
A silver cigar box, awarded by the Jewish Women Association in Währing district, Vienna, to the city's rabbi, Rabbi Dr. David Feuchtwang (1864-1936) on the 25th anniversary of his service in this position.
On the inner side of the lid appears an engraved dedication: "In Verehrung, Seiner Ehrwürden Herrn Rabbiner Dr. D. Feuchtwang, zu seinem 25 jährigen Wiener Amtsjubiläum, vom Vorstand des isr. Frauenverein Währing, 1928".
18X12.5 cm. Height: 5.5 cm. Good condition. Slight defect to corner of lid. Some scratches and stains.
Catalogue
Auction 61 - Rare and Important Items
April 24, 2018
Opening: $2,500
Sold for: $13,750
Including buyer's premium
Ketubah recording the marriage of Avraham son of the late Yitzchak Teixeira de Andrade with Sarah daughter of Yitzchak Yisrael Suasso. "Hague, the capital of Holland", August 1742.
Spanish-Dutch parchment ketubah, adorned with a high-quality copper engraving: In the right and left margins are two vases with large bouquets, on which various birds and animals are perched. These are topped by images of a bride and groom in contemporary attire (on the right) and a mother with two children (on the left; allegory to Caritas [charity]). The text is written in Sephardi script and appears between two rounded pillars entwined with branches, crowned with an arch. On both sides of the arch are two Cherubs holding a drapery bearing the inscription "B'Siman Tov". At the bottom of the engraving is a large Rococo cartouche in which the tena'im were written.
Two inscriptions in Latin letters appear in the bottom margins - on the left: "27 Adar Seni A° 5453 Yom Sabat Kodes" and on the right: "H. Y. Aboab" referring to the date of the death (the 27th of Adar Bet 1693) of Chacham Isaac Aboab (da Fonseca the III), Rabbi of the Amsterdam community.
The inspiration for this copper-engraving was the design of two Dutch ketubot created in 1648 and in 1654 by the artist and engraver Shalom Mordechai Italia. Shalom Italia, who arrived in Holland from Mantua, was also known for creating two Scrolls of Esther and portraits of Jacob Judah Leon Templo and of Menasseh ben Israel.
On the bottom of the ketubah are the signatures of the groom (in Latin letters) and of the witnesses: Daniel HaCohen Rodriguez (in Hebrew) and Aharon da Costa Abend (da Costa published a Spanish translation of Tikun Lel Hoshana Rabba in Amsterdam in 1735). The same signatures also appear at the end of the tena'im written on the bottom cartouche. The name of the attorney who drew up the agreement - "The famous attorney… Joannes Zeithof" is mentioned both in the text of the ketubah and of the tena'im.
Kedem Catalog no. 59 included a ketubah from 1742 (lot 339) which records the marriage of Yitzchak son of the late Moshe Yisrael Suasso (apparently, a cousin of the aforementioned bride) with Rachel daughter of Ya'akov Teixeira de Andrade (sister of the aforementioned groom); also see the ketubah from 1750 in the collection of ketubot of the Israel Museum in Tel Aviv, recording the marriage of Avraham son of Yitzchak Yisrael Suasso (relative of the aforementioned groom) with the bride Esther daughter of Yitzchak Teixeira de Andrade (another sister of the aforementioned bride).
34.5X42 cm. Few stains. Creases and small tears to margins.
Literature:
1. Ketubbah: Jewish marriage contracts of the Hebrew Union College Skirball Museum and Klau Library, Shalom Sabar (NY, 1990), pp. 265-270, no. 171.
2. The Oeuvre of the Jewish Engraver Salom Italia, by Mordechai Narkis, in: Tarbiz, Vol. 25, Issue 4, Tamuz 1957, pp. 441-451; Vol. 26, Issue 1, Tishrei 1957, pp. 87-101.
3. HaKetubah B'Iturim, David Davidowitz. Published by A. Levine-Epstein, Tel Aviv, 1979, pp. 21-24.
Spanish-Dutch parchment ketubah, adorned with a high-quality copper engraving: In the right and left margins are two vases with large bouquets, on which various birds and animals are perched. These are topped by images of a bride and groom in contemporary attire (on the right) and a mother with two children (on the left; allegory to Caritas [charity]). The text is written in Sephardi script and appears between two rounded pillars entwined with branches, crowned with an arch. On both sides of the arch are two Cherubs holding a drapery bearing the inscription "B'Siman Tov". At the bottom of the engraving is a large Rococo cartouche in which the tena'im were written.
Two inscriptions in Latin letters appear in the bottom margins - on the left: "27 Adar Seni A° 5453 Yom Sabat Kodes" and on the right: "H. Y. Aboab" referring to the date of the death (the 27th of Adar Bet 1693) of Chacham Isaac Aboab (da Fonseca the III), Rabbi of the Amsterdam community.
The inspiration for this copper-engraving was the design of two Dutch ketubot created in 1648 and in 1654 by the artist and engraver Shalom Mordechai Italia. Shalom Italia, who arrived in Holland from Mantua, was also known for creating two Scrolls of Esther and portraits of Jacob Judah Leon Templo and of Menasseh ben Israel.
On the bottom of the ketubah are the signatures of the groom (in Latin letters) and of the witnesses: Daniel HaCohen Rodriguez (in Hebrew) and Aharon da Costa Abend (da Costa published a Spanish translation of Tikun Lel Hoshana Rabba in Amsterdam in 1735). The same signatures also appear at the end of the tena'im written on the bottom cartouche. The name of the attorney who drew up the agreement - "The famous attorney… Joannes Zeithof" is mentioned both in the text of the ketubah and of the tena'im.
Kedem Catalog no. 59 included a ketubah from 1742 (lot 339) which records the marriage of Yitzchak son of the late Moshe Yisrael Suasso (apparently, a cousin of the aforementioned bride) with Rachel daughter of Ya'akov Teixeira de Andrade (sister of the aforementioned groom); also see the ketubah from 1750 in the collection of ketubot of the Israel Museum in Tel Aviv, recording the marriage of Avraham son of Yitzchak Yisrael Suasso (relative of the aforementioned groom) with the bride Esther daughter of Yitzchak Teixeira de Andrade (another sister of the aforementioned bride).
34.5X42 cm. Few stains. Creases and small tears to margins.
Literature:
1. Ketubbah: Jewish marriage contracts of the Hebrew Union College Skirball Museum and Klau Library, Shalom Sabar (NY, 1990), pp. 265-270, no. 171.
2. The Oeuvre of the Jewish Engraver Salom Italia, by Mordechai Narkis, in: Tarbiz, Vol. 25, Issue 4, Tamuz 1957, pp. 441-451; Vol. 26, Issue 1, Tishrei 1957, pp. 87-101.
3. HaKetubah B'Iturim, David Davidowitz. Published by A. Levine-Epstein, Tel Aviv, 1979, pp. 21-24.
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