As part of a great lawsuit against necromancers and treasure seekers, the Lucerne authorities in 1718 confiscated this meticulous copy of the Schlüssel Salomos, a book of spells that had evidently been widely read in certain quarters and of which various versions had been in circulation. Through the rituals for conjuring spirits described in the book, people around the priest Hans Kaspar Giger hoped to become wealthy. The volume was labeled “superstitious” by the authorities, was sealed and placed in the archives. (jag)

Online Since: 03/22/2017

The bridal couple Solomon, son of Jacob Visino, and Dinah (Gracia), daughter of Samuel Cordovero, were part of the large community of Sephardic Jews living in the thriving, cosmopolitan and multi-ethnic port city of Livorno, where they enjoyed generous privileges bestowed on them by the Medicis, including complete religious freedom. The text is within an architectural frame in the shape of a baroque portal with two double columns. The marriage text is written at right in a Sephardic square script, the conditions at left in a cursive script; these were confirmed by the groom (in Italian) and by the father of the bride (in Spanish). Above the balustrade, two putti hold a cartouche with the emblem of the Visino family. Below that a medallion, framed by the zodiac, shows King Solomon as he joyfully receives the Queen of Sheba. (flu)

Online Since: 10/10/2019