A Decorated Marriage Contract, Golpayegan, Iran: 1823

Estimate

4,000 - 6,000 USD

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Description

paper

1 broadsheet (22 ¾ x 16 in.; 580 x 410mm). Ink and gouache on paper; some dampstaining, lightly soiled, tears at folds expertly repaired on verso.

Catalogue Note

Recording the marriage of Joshua the son of Benjamin to Rebecca the daughter of Zechariah on Friday, 5 Shevat, 5583 (= 17 January, 1823)

THE EARLIEST KNOWN DECORATED MARRIAGE CONTRACT FROM GOLPAYEGAN, IN NORTH-WESTERN IRAN

This ketubbah is ornamented with a brightly-colored floral design of meandering green tendrils and coral flowers. The central text panel, is surmounted by words of blessing and biblical verses, arranged in three columns; the text reads across from right to left and proclaims in rhyming verses: "Light and gladness, honor and dignity, and a mantle of praise, with joy and exultation, to the wise men of the Diaspora, and to the chosen community, to the young bridegroom and virgin bride, [may they be blessed with] mirth and gaiety, favor and grace, successful sons, Amen Selah." The entire document is framed with an additional series of blessings known as "good signs" that are written in large square letters and arranged alphabetically.