Ketubah on parchment, with colorful ornamentation. Ancona [Italy], 1741.
Specifications : [1] Large parchment sheet. 70X51 cm. Black ink.
Ketubah for the wedding of the groom Avraham David, son of the venerable late Binyamin B’Rafael z”l, with the bride Marat Simchah daughter of ‘the dear and lofty Rabbi Yitzchak Mondolfi.’ The ketubah’s text is enclosed within a drawing of a gate, emergent from a red square, and surrounded by red and green flowering plant ornamentation. A square frame envelops the text and decorations, within which is the inscription: ” BaSimna Tava UveMazla Ma’aliya LeChatna U’LeKalta U’Lekol Yisrael, Amen Ken Yihi Ratzon . Yiten Hash-em et HaIsha Haba’ah el Beitecha keRachel U’CheLeah Asher Banu Shtehen et Beit Yisrael. Yevarechecha Hash-em VeYishmerecha Ya’air Hash-m Panav Elecha VeYichunecha Yisa Hash-m Panev Elecha VeYasem Lecha Shalom. ” The parchment’s upper section is decoratively cut and exhibits blossoming flora. The ketubah’s lower portion contains the ” tnai’im, ” written in Italian.
The ketubah is signed by the groom, as well as the witnesses Daniyel son of Nachamu, z”l, and Matzliach son of Moshe Cohen.
Condition: Moderate. Tears with lack around the parchment which damage text and illustrations. Stains. A portion of the ink is worn and faded. Creases. Paper reinforcement on back.