Sha’arei Orah [an exposition of Kabbalistic symbolism and the designations of the Sephiroth]

Estimate: $400–$600
Hammer price: $650

Historical auction record. Hammer prices exclude buyer’s premium and taxes.

author

GIKATILLA, JOSEPH

printer

(Jacob Marcaria the Physician)

Place

Riva di Trento

Publication

1561

Description

FIRST EDITION. Initial letters of title within decorative vigniettes,initial word of text within historiated woodcut frame. Kabbalistic manuscript text in an old-hand pertaining to the Ten Sefiroth on front paste-down. Owners signature reads Aaron b.Hari Leibush ish Margoliouth of Zolkva now in Lida

references

Vinograd, Riva di Trento 34; Mehlman 1057; Adams G-609

summary

Joseph Gikatilla, a Spanish-born Kabbalist sought in this original work to provide a detailed yet lucid and systematic exposition of Kabbalism. He was the originator of the doctrine equating the infinate Ein Sof with the first of the Ten Sephiroth. A second edition of the Sha’arei Orah was produced in Mantua in the same year as the first. The manuscript text of f.84 is integral at least to the year 1601, the year this volume was approved and signed by the Papal censor

ff. 84. Lightly browned, stained in places, marginal repairs to first few leaves, scattered old-hand marginalia, censored in places, f. 84 supplied from another copy with manuscript version bound in, signed by censors on verso. Later brown calf, rubbed at extremities. Sm. 4to

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