(Marriage Contract). Printed with manuscript entries. Uniting the bridegroom Aaron Zion with the bride Mozlei the daughter of Chaim.

(KETHUBAH).

6th Nissan

Singapore

1918

Within hand-colored decorative border accomplished in watercolor depicting multi-colored floral and foliate devices. Lower portion features Asian water lilies.

The first Jews to settle in Singapore were of Baghdadi origin, who migrated to Singapore soon after it was established as a trading post in 1819. The lyrical decorative elements in this Kethubah include the lotus flower which, albeit a Buddhist symbol of good fortune, love and long life, perhaps was chosen as it is germane to Singapore and the fact that it represents the wishes hoped for a new married couple. Interestingly, the center register features three exotic fish, an allusion to the Jewish symbol of fertility, good luck and above the power of the Evil Eye. Singapore was under the jurisdiction of British King George V at this time, and his name appears in the manuscript portion of this contract. The Kethubah was printed in Baghdad in 1906 for later individual use. See S. Sabar, Ketubbah, p. 348.