Decorated parchment ketubah, for wedding of Eliyah Chaim Shabtai Nissim son of Yehudah Efraim Sonino and Berachah daughter of Avraham Yitzchak Shabtai Chayo. Ancona, Italy, 13th Elul 5597 [September 13, 1837].
Ink and paint on parchment.
Written on a rectangular parchment sheet. The ketubah text appears in the center, in square letters, with signatures of witnesses Yisrael Terni and Moshe Montefiore below, followed by the Tena'im in Sephardic semi-cursive script, again with the witnesses' signatures below.
The ketubah text is written in a circular frame surrounded by colorful illustrations in various vegetal patterns. The frame is topped by a canopy-like illustration, with a pair of angels crouching, below which is a pair of erect hissing lions.
40X53 cm. Fair-good condition. Moisture damage, affecting text and decorations, and fading of ink. Stains, folding marks and creases. Minor marginal tears, professionally restored.
The present ketubah is documented on the NLI ketubah site, listing 990003035660205171.
