A Collection of Ten Decorated Ketubbot

One of the essential elements of a Jewish wedding ceremony is the writing and transfer of a marriage contract, or ketubbah (pl., ketubbot). The ketubbah was originally formulated to protect a woman’s rights in marriage by establishing the financial obligations of the groom toward his bride in cases of divorce or death. These celebratory documents were often decorated with vibrant floral designs. The collection of ketubbot in this lot were produced for use at weddings in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East and feature design motifs typical of the communities in which they originated.

1. Ancona: celebrating the marriage of Jehiel Elisha ben Gabriel di Paz and Italia bat Moses Elijah of Perugia on Sunday, 13 Nisan 5648 (March 25, 1888). Ink and gouache on parchment (20 1/4 x 14 3/4 in.; 515 x 378 mm). Matted and framed.

2. Gibraltar: celebrating the marriage of Joseph ben Abraham Benrimoj and Jemul bat Isaac Israel on Monday, 14 Tishrei 5671 (October 17, 1910). Ink and gouache on parchment (27 1/2 x 23 1/4 in.; 598 x 700 mm). Matted and framed.

3. Aleppo: celebrating the marriage of Abraham and Rosel on Tuesday, 6 Tishrei 5623 (September 30, 1862). Ink and gouache on parchment (20 1/2 x 10 in.; 521 x 255 mm).

4. Fez: celebrating the marriage of Menahem and Miriam on Friday, 14 Nisan 5633 (April 11, 1873). Ink and gouache on paper (11 3/4 x 16 in.; 330 x 410 mm).

5. Bukhara: celebrating the marriage of Mashiah ben Hayyim and Malkah bat Hayyim on Wednesday, 29 Marheshvan 5634 (November 19, 1873). Ink and gouache on parchment (15 x 11 1/4 in.; 380 x 284 mm).

6. Tiberias: celebrating the marriage of Meir Hattab and Hephzibah on Wednesday, 29 Elul 5677 (September 16, 1917). Ink on paper (19 x 15 1/4 in.; 488 x 388 mm). Printed; framed.

7. Izmir: celebrating the marriage of Menahem ben Simeon and Rosa bat Shabbetai on Monday, 20 Kislev 5692 (November 30, 1931). Ink on paper (24 3/4 x 18 3/4 in.; 630 x 476 mm). Printed; framed.

8. Tetuan: celebrating the marriage of Baruch and Luna on Tuesday, 12 Adar 5680 (March 10, 1920). Ink on paper (23 x 18 in.; 580 x 454 mm). Printed border; framed.

9. Bulgaria: celebrating the marriage of Joseph and Victoria on Sunday, 1 Elul 5684 (August 31, 1924). Ink on paper (23 x 17 1/2 in.; 592 x 457 mm). Printed; framed.

10. Tangier: celebrating the marriage of Abraham ben Moses Toledano and Miriam bat Jacob Toledano on Wednesday, 23 Sivan 5657 (June 23, 1897). Ink on paper (24 x 18 1/4 in.; 617 x 464 mm). Printed; framed.