c - An important illuminated vellum marriage contract

recording the marriage between Moses son of Isaac Katzigin,and (widow) Judita Leonora daughter of Abraham Segre, dated Friday 13th of Adar 1675, the text in one column in Italian square script, framed with an alternating design of flowers and geometric rosettes with depictions of the zodiac signs at the corners, within a larger frame of interspersed knot patterns and nine cartouches illustrating the five senses and the four seasons This lot contains 1 item(s).

The design of the present lot dated to 1675 is closely related to a Ketubbah from Ferrara dated to 1669 in the Beth Tzedec Museum, Cecil Roth Collection CR528. The arabesque motifs, rosettes and knot patterns that predominate in both of these Ketubbot are 'Moorish' influences introduced to Italy through Venice with her commerical links to the Near East. Pattern books of such moresque designs began to appear in Venice in the 1520's thus urther disseminating this inlfuence.

Casale Monferrato was the capital of Monferrat, Piedmont, in the north west of Italy. Jews first settled in Casale Monferrato during the 1430's and in 1595 the sumptuous and and richly decorated synagogue was built, testimony to the affluence of the community.

Exhibited:
New York, Yeshiva University Museum 'Ebrei Piemontesi: The Jewish of Piedmont', June-December 1996