Ancona, Wednesday 11 Tevet 5536 (=January 3, 1776)

Ink and gouache on parchment with shell gold highlights (23 ¾ x 18 ¾ in.; 605 x 475 mm). Framed.



Celebrating the wedding of Joel, the son of Samuel Hamiz, to Biancina, the daughter of Abraham Campus, from Senigallia on Wednesday 11 Tevet 5536 (= January 3, 1776)

This elaborately decorated marriage contract was written and illustrated in the port city of Ancona, one of the most creative centers of ketubbah decoration in Italy.  It features an exquisite floral border of entwined vines and lushly painted flowers.  Surmounting the text is a cartouche with the verse from Proverbs 18:22, “He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord,” The ketubbah is further embellished with decorative biblical verses that enframe the document “May the Lord make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the family of Israel and do worthily in Ephrath, and be famous in Beth Lehem” and the priestly blessing. Moreover, may your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore for Judah, from the offspring that the Lord gives you from this young woman." (Ruth 4:11-12).