Marriage Contact on paper. Uniting Naphtali son of Abraham Kovo and Beiyla Vinichina daughter of the late Israel Bachor, on Wednesday Rosh Chodesh Tammuz (30th of Sivan) 1826

(KETHUBAH)

Rosh Chodesh Tammuz (30th of Sivan)

“Orodguk” Bulgaria

1826

Text in black ink, Sephardic square and cursive Hebrew scripts. Text set in architectural background comprising two geometric arches painted in gentle tones of blue, yellow and red watercolor. Each column is headed by the words “be’siman tov” in decorative yellow watercolored letters. Each column of text is topped by circular concentric geometric motifs resembling the Cresent symbol of the Ottoman Empire. At center is a geometric Star of David with a six-petaled geometric flower within. At top a form reminisent of the cypress-tree, a decorative symbol of Solomon’s Temple the destruction of which is to be raised “on the top of joyous celebrations” on the wedding day. All acomplished in red, green, blue yello and brown watercolor. The upper portion is cut into a Moorish arch with stylized wavy edges

The text of Kethuboth from the Balkan States where typically divided into three sections; the Kethubah proper, set in the right hand column; the Conditions (Tena’im) set in the left column; and a description of the bride’s Dowry at the bottom of the left hand column. Customarily, these texts are set in an architectural background comprising two round arches as well as simple floral and geometric motifs in bright watercolors. Jewish settlememnt in the Balkan States largely comprised of Spanish exiles. The influence of European Sephardic kethubah design can be seen blended with influences from other cultural repertoires. The location of this marrage ceremony, “Orodguk” on the Danube River is not known as a center of Jewish settlement. Sholom Sabar suggests, based on the stylistic similarities between this example and others from the Balkan states of Yugoslavia and Bulgaria, that “Orodguk” was a small, lesser known community laying on the banks of the Danube River along it’s passage through Bulgaria. See S. Sabar, Kethubah Metzuyeret Mukdemet Me’haBulkanim Shnat 1826: Analysis and Evalution (accompanying this lot)