AN ILLUSTRATED KETUBBAH FROM ANCONA, 1823

Ink, gouache, and shell gold on parchment (28 3/4 x 20 1/2 in.; 730 x 520 mm); written in square script in brown ink on eighteen long lines; ruled in blind; long tena’im paragraph in Italian Hebrew cursive script below. Tapered upper edge; two mermaids supporting an oval with a biblical vignette at head surmounted by a crown; biblical vignettes in outer borders; two inscribed escutcheons in lower corners; cartouche at foot with an image of two doves surrounded by a wreath. Slight scattered staining; some paint and ink flaking; minor creasing.

Celebrating the wedding of Joseph David Shabbetai ben Solomon of Perugia and Tovah Rachel bat Joseph Shabbetai Hazak in Ancona on Thursday, 5 Sivan 5583 (May 15, 1823). This elaborately decorated ketubbah prominently features three lively biblical scenes: at top, the judgment of King Solomon; in the right border, Rachel meeting Jacob at the well; and in the left border, Joseph revealing himself to his brothers. In accordance with the custom of decorated Italian ketubbot, these biblical vignettes were specifically selected as they relate to the names of the bride (Rachel) and groom (Joseph). In addition, the image of King Solomon at the top of the document references the name of the groom’s father. The inclusion of a pair of animated mermaids in the design of this marriage contract is evidence of the manner in which Jews integrated the aesthetic motifs of contemporary Italian art into their religious documents.