Marriage Contract. Copper-engraving on vellum. Text in brown ink, Sephardi cursive Hebrew script. Uniting Aaron ben Abraham Mendes da Costa and Rebecca, daughter of Abraham Mendes de Leon. SIGNED BY DANIEL BEN DAVID COHEN D’AZEVEDO

AUCTION 15 | Tuesday, March 12th, 2002 at 1:00

Fine Hebrew Books, Manuscripts and Works of Art The Property of Various Owners

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Lot 471

(KETHUBAH)

Marriage Contract. Copper-engraving on vellum. Text in brown ink, Sephardi cursive Hebrew script. Uniting Aaron ben Abraham Mendes da Costa and Rebecca, daughter of Abraham Mendes de Leon. SIGNED BY DANIEL BEN DAVID COHEN D’AZEVEDO

Engraved within the famed “Amsterdam Borders,” an arch enclosing two cherubs holding a banner inscribed with the formula “Be’siman Tov”, flanked by pillars entwined with flora and decorated with urns of flowers with birds and insects, a couple at top left clasping hands and allegory of the virtue “Charity” at top right 315x380mm

Amsterdam: 26th Nissan, 1816

Est: $6,000 - $7,000

PRICE REALIZED $8,000

Originating in Amsterdam in the mid-17th century, the elegant design of this Kethubah was particularly desirable among European, and even Caribbean, Sephardi communities. In this new version of popular engraving, the clothing of the bridal couple at the upper left is altered to fit the period’s taste and fashion. Another curious addition is the oval medallion at the bottom center depicting the legendary winged phoenix rising from the ashes The signatory, DANIEL COHEN D’AZEVEDO, was appointed Chief Rabbi of Amsterdam’s Portuguese Jewish Congregation in 1792