Select manuscript from this collection: B26  K63 K70  S102  65/107

Country of Location:
Country of Location
Switzerland
Location:
Location
Zürich
Library / Collection:
Library / Collection
Braginsky Collection
Shelfmark:
Shelfmark
K68
Manuscript Title:
Manuscript Title
Ketubah (כתובה), Livorno, 14 Nisan 5508 (12 April 1748)
Caption:
Caption
Parchment · 1 f. · 90.6 x 57.3 cm · Livorno · 1748
Language:
Language
Hebrew
Manuscript Summary:
Manuscript Summary
The bridal couple mentioned in this marriage contract, Dona Sarah, daughter of Jacob Guttieres Pegna (Peña) and David, son of the late Benjamin Racah (or Raccah), both are members of wealthy families of the Sephardic community of Livorno. As is customary, the ketubah lists the dowry and increment: It consists of a house on the Piazza delle Erbe with a value of 907 piesas, 6 solidos and 10 dinaros da ocho reali di Spagna, plus 150 piesas in cash and an increment valued at half of the dowry. The unusually large ketubah is decorated with interlace design in the style of “love knots”, floral scrolls, a pair of birds and two winged putti supporting a blank cartouche intended for the family emblem. (flu)
DOI (Digital Object Identifier):
DOI (Digital Object Identifier
10.5076/e-codices-bc-k-0068 (http://dx.doi.org/10.5076/e-codices-bc-k-0068)
Permanent link:
Permanent link
https://e-codices.unifr.ch/en/list/one/bc/k-0068
IIIF Manifest URL:
IIIF Manifest URL
IIIF Drag-n-drop https://e-codices.unifr.ch/metadata/iiif/bc-k-0068/manifest.json
How to quote:
How to quote
Zürich, Braginsky Collection, K68: Ketubah (כתובה), Livorno, 14 Nisan 5508 (12 April 1748) (https://e-codices.unifr.ch/en/list/one/bc/k-0068).
Online Since:
Online Since
10/04/2018
External resources:
External resources
Rights:
Rights
Images:
(Concerning all other rights see each manuscript description and our Terms of use)
Document Type:
Document Type
Document
Century:
Century
18th century
Dated:
Dated
1748
Decoration:
Decoration
Gold / Silver, Margin, Ornamental
Liturgica hebraica:
Liturgica hebraica
Ketubbah
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e-codices · 10/09/2018, 13:55:37

Braut, Bräutigam und Zeugen waren wohlhabende und standesbewusste Mitglieder der sefardischen Gemeinde von Livorno. Der Vertragstext ist zwischen reich ornamentierte, bunte Säulen gesetzt. Wie aus dem Datum hervorgeht, legten die Familien die Hochzeit auf den Beginn des Pessachfests, so dass man gemeinsam mit den von auswärts Eingeladenen eine ganze Woche feiern konnte. In der Ketubba sind wie üblich die Mitgift und das Aufgeld aufgeführt. Ein separater Zivilvertrag wurde am 9. April 1748 bei dem Florentiner Notar Dr. Antonio Chiaochini unterzeichnet.
Für das ungewöhnlich grosse Pergament wurde die Nackenpartie der benutzten Tierhaut verwendet. Den Vertragstext umgeben Bänder mit regelmässigen geometrischen Schlingenmustern nach Art des „Liebesknotens“, ähnlich auch im oberen Teil, den bunte, symmetrisch angeordnete Blumenranken dominieren. Dort sehen wir auch zwei Vogelpaare, die wohl als „Liebesvögel“ interpretiert werden können. Zwei geflügelte Putti halten die Kartusche für das Familienemblem, das allerdings unausgeführt geblieben ist.

Schöne Seiten. Jüdische Schriftkultur aus der Braginsky Collection, Hrsg. von Emile Schrijver und Falk Wiesemann, Zürich 2011, S. 182.

e-codices · 10/09/2018, 13:41:25

This colorful ketubbah reflects the importance given to marriage contracts by the wealthy and proud Livornese Sephardim. The families of the bride and groom, as well as the witnesses, are all noted members of the Sephardic community. The bride- groom, for example, is apparently related to the renowned contemporary Venetian rabbi Mas’u−d Raccah (1690–1768), author of Ma’aseh Roke’ah (Venice 1742), who lived in Livorno for five years (1731–36) before immigrating to Jerusalem. From there he was sent as an emissary to Tripoli where he served as the spiritual leader of the community.
The upper part of the large rectangular parchment, taken from the animal’s neck, was given a scalloped edge. Surrounding the text is a wide frame dominat- ed by a vibrant interlaced pattern painted in gold. The central gilt decoration at the top is surrounded by brightly colored birds and flowers. The interlace design symbolizes a “love knot,” an idea borrowed from Italian folk culture that was often reinforced by biblical quotes (Song of Songs 1:13; Proverbs 31:30). The pair of birds perched above, a symbol of a loving couple, enhances this idea. A pair of putti at the top support a crowned shield intended for the wedded families’ insignia, which were never added.
Three ornamental columns divide the two parts of the text. The conditions, written on the left, reflect the high position of the Sephardic bride in terms of her personal status and inheritance privileges. An interesting custom revealed in the text concerns the wedding day. By taking place on the eve of Passover, the families and their out-of-town guests were able to celebrate the seven days of the holiday together, while enjoying the wedding festivities.

A Journey through Jewish Worlds. Highlights from the Braginsky collection of Hebrew manuscripts and printed books, hrsg. E. M. Cohen, S. L. Mintz, E. G. L. Schrijver, Amsterdam, 2009, p. 174.

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Schöne Seiten. Jüdische Schriftkultur aus der Braginsky Collection, Hrsg. von Emile Schrijver und Falk Wiesemann, Zürich 2011, S. 182.

A Journey through Jewish Worlds. Highlights from the Braginsky collection of Hebrew manuscripts and printed books, hrsg. E. M. Cohen, S. L. Mintz, E. G. L. Schrijver, Amsterdam, 2009, p. 174.

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