A Decorated Ketubbah from Amsterdam, 1779
Celebrating the marriage of Samuel ben Moses Mendes da Costa and Hannah bat Jacob de Joseph Teixeira de Mattos on Tuesday, 18 Iyyar 5539 (May 4, 1779).
This engraved ketubbah is a superb example of a highly popular style of decorated marriage contracts used by members of the Spanish and Portuguese Jewish community throughout Europe, but especially in the Netherlands. The design is associated with Shalom d’Italia, the most renowned Jewish artist of the seventeenth century. In 1648, Shalom created two copper etchings to be used as borders for marriage contracts. Several years later, an anonymous artist copied one of these ketubbot, making only small changes to the original design.
The text is inscribed within an archway supported by two columns encircled in vines and surmounted by two cherubs holding a cloth inscribed in Hebrew be-siman tov (with a good omen). On either side of the text, two large urns support a profusion of flowers interspersed with insects and birds. Above on the right is a depiction of an elegantly attired bridal couple; at left, a woman with two children, an allegorical representation of “charity.”
The groom and bride were members of prominent families, and their fathers are both noted in the text of the ketubbah as leaders of the Portuguese Jewish community of Amsterdam.
Physical
Ink on parchment (16 1/2 x 13 1/2 in.; 420 x 340 mm).Condition reportFor further information on the condition of this lot please contact sharon.mintz.consultant@sothebys.com
A Decorated Ketubbah from Amsterdam, 1779
Celebrating the marriage of Samuel ben Moses Mendes da Costa and Hannah bat Jacob de Joseph Teixeira de Mattos on Tuesday, 18 Iyyar 5539 (May 4, 1779).
This engraved ketubbah is a superb example of a highly popular style of decorated marriage contracts used by members of the Spanish and Portuguese Jewish community throughout Europe, but especially in the Netherlands. The design is associated with Shalom d’Italia, the most renowned Jewish artist of the seventeenth century. In 1648, Shalom created two copper etchings to be used as borders for marriage contracts. Several years later, an anonymous artist copied one of these ketubbot, making only small changes to the original design.
The text is inscribed within an archway supported by two columns encircled in vines and surmounted by two cherubs holding a cloth inscribed in Hebrew be-siman tov (with a good omen). On either side of the text, two large urns support a profusion of flowers interspersed with insects and birds. Above on the right is a depiction of an elegantly attired bridal couple; at left, a woman with two children, an allegorical representation of “charity.”
The groom and bride were members of prominent families, and their fathers are both noted in the text of the ketubbah as leaders of the Portuguese Jewish community of Amsterdam.
Physical
Ink on parchment (16 1/2 x 13 1/2 in.; 420 x 340 mm).Condition reportFor further information on the condition of this lot please contact sharon.mintz.consultant@sothebys.com
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.jpg "Quelle: Christie's")
.jpg "Quelle: Christie's")
