Auction 101 Part 1 Special Auction: Ketubot | Megillot | Haggadot | Books | Jewish Ceremonial Art
Decorated Parchment Ketubah – Calcutta, India, 1881 – Iraqi Jewish Community
Opening: $2,500
Estimate: $4,000 - $6,000
Sold for: $4,000
Including buyer's premium
Decorated parchment ketubah, for the wedding of Ezra son of Yechezkel Chaim Avraham Gabbai and Rivkah daughter of Elisha Shalom Iraqi HaKohen. Calcutta, India, 9 Shevat 5641 [January 9, 1881].
Ink and paint on parchment.
Written on a rectangular parchment sheet. Blessings are written in square letters in the upper part, the ketubah text appears in the bottom part, in Sephardic cursive script, with words emphasized in square script (the names of the bride and groom, the dowry and more). The margins of the ketubah text contain the signatures of the groom (right) and the witness Shimon Refael Chaim Yitzchak (left).
Decorated in the characteristic style of the ketubot of the Baghdadi community in Calcutta: the frame is divided into two parts, with illustrations of peacocks and flowers in bright colors. The upper part features two pointed multifoil arches topped by a pair of lions holding a medallion. In the center is a panel separating the blessings and the ketubah text – a pair of fish drawn in silver, swimming towards each other.
70X40 cm. Overall good condition. Dark stain near bottom margins, on front and back.
This ketubah is documented on the NLI Ketubot website, listing 990003035770205171.