Shir HaShirim [Song of Songs]. For use by the Jews of Cochin.

AUCTION 66 | Thursday, November 19th, 2015 at 1:00

Fine Judaica: Printed Books, Manuscripts, Ceremonial Objects and Graphic Art

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Lot 101

(INDIA)

Shir HaShirim [Song of Songs]. For use by the Jews of Cochin.

Manuscript written in red ink on paper. Two columns, vocalized square Hebrew with translation alongside into Malayalam (Malabari). <<The David Solomon Sassoon copy.>> See D.S. Sassoon, Ohel Dawid: Catalogue of Sassoon Library (1932), p. 30, no. 443. pp. 47. Final page neatly laid down. Later Sassoon binding. Sm. 4to.

(Cochin): 19th century

Est: $5,000 - $7,000

PRICE REALIZED $5,000

The Jews of Cochin have had a long tradition of singing devotional hymns (piyyutim) and songs on festive occasions as well as Biblical and narrative songs in Judeo-Malayalam. Few manuscripts are extant written in Hebrew and Malayalam, the local dialect of the miniscule community of Cochini Jews. Judeo-Malayalam is the only known Dravidian Jewish language. Cochin, a delightful town at the southern tip of India, has had a Jewish presence whose roots are said to extend back to the time of King Solomon. Provenance: Sotheby’s New York, Hebrew Manuscripts from the Collection of the Late David Solomon Sassoon, 4th December, 1984, Lot 4