Marriage Contract. Manuscript in Hebrew composed in Italian square script on vellum uniting the bridegroom Azriel ben Eliezer Ashkenazi, with his bride Pazienza, the daughter of Joseph Menashi.

AUCTION 59 | Thursday, June 20th, 2013 at 1:00

Fine Judaica: Ceremonial Objects and Works of Art

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Lot 169

(KETHUBAH)

Marriage Contract. Manuscript in Hebrew composed in Italian square script on vellum uniting the bridegroom Azriel ben Eliezer Ashkenazi, with his bride Pazienza, the daughter of Joseph Menashi.

Text within stylized rectangular frame, painted in watercolors against sky-blue border. Textual outer frame comprised of marriage related and other Biblical verses in square script along with floral patterns. Four allegorical historiated vignettes at corners. Customary triangular shaped lower end featuring rampant lion within cartouche holding green branch with two bouquets of colorful flowers. Framed. 19.5 x 33 inches.

Rome, 14th Nissan, 1817:

Est: $5,000 - $7,000

PRICE REALIZED $7,500

Of the four colorful corner vignettes, the upper two depict birds drinking from a water fountain and the lower two display women holding scythes together with their harvest - a symbol of fertility. Since this wedding took place immediately before Passover, many of the border verses refer to the Festival. For more regarding the use of allegory in Roman Marriage Contracts see S. Sabar, Ketubbah (1990) pp. 146-7.