Two illuminated and decorated Parchment sheets which had served as title pages of Portuguese-Jewish record books. Amsterdam, 18th century.

1. Title page of a record book which had contained listings of donations from Amsterdam’s Portuguese-Jewish “Talmud Torah” congregation. The record book was managed by the gabbai Avraham Franco Mendes. Amsterdam, 1744.
Illuminated with an architectonic motif: A pair of massive columns adorned with leaves and flowers and surmounted by crown-shaped capitals, supporting a broad, decorated arch, in turn surmounted by a pair of trumpet-blowing angels on either side. Under the arch, inscribed in Hebrew, is the biblical verse “When you make a vow to the Lord, your God, you shall not delay in paying it…” (Deuteronomy 23:22). The congregation’s name – “Talmud Torah” – appears underneath this. The title of the book is in Portuguese: “Libro onde se notaõ as Ofertas Feitas No Santo K. K. de Amsterdam, Sendo Gabayos Abraham Fco. Mendes de Ishac, Anno 5504” (“The book wherein are listed the donations rendered in the Holy Congregation of Amsterdam, administered by the gabbai Avraham Franco de Mendes, son of Isaac, Year 1744”). Toward the bottom of the page, between the columns, is a rectangular illustration depicting the Binding of Isaac.
[1] leaf, 35.5X25 cm. Stains and tears to margins. Traces of adhesives on back.

Provenance: The Gross Family Collection, Tel Aviv, HO.012.003.

2. Title page of a record book which had contained listings of donations from Amsterdam’s Portuguese-Jewish community. The record book was managed by Ioseph (ben Shlomo) De Meza. Amsterdam, 1756.
Illuminated with an architectonic motif: A pair of massive columns, adorned with leaves and flowers, supports a broad, decorated arch. Inscribed in Hebrew underneath the arch is the biblical verse “When you make a vow to the Lord, your God, you shall not delay in paying it …” (Deuteronomy 23:22). The title of the book is in Portuguese: “Libro Onde se Notaõ As Ofertas Feitas no Santo KK. de Amsterdam da Misva de Es Haim: Sendo Thezoureiro o Sr. Ioseph de Selo. [Selomoh] De Meza” (“The book wherein are listed the donations rendered in the Holy Congregation of Amsterdam for [fulfillment of] the mitzvah of Etz Hayyim, while the [presiding] secretary was Mr. Ioseph de Selo. [Selomoh] De Meza”). In the bottom center, between the bases of the two columns, is an illustration of a fruit tree, and above this tree, the biblical passage “It is a tree of life for those who grasp it, and those who draw near it are fortunate.” (Proverbs 3:18) is inscribed in Hebrew. The name “David Lopes Silva” is inscribed on the arch in Latin letters; presumably, this is the name of the artist who created the title page.
[1] leaf, 29.5X19.5 cm. Few stains and creases. Traces of adhesives on back.

Provenance: The Gross Family Collection, Tel Aviv, HO.012.002.

PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.