Auction 108 Books | Letters and Manuscripts | Scrolls and Jewish Ceremonial Art
Parchment Ketubah – Livorno, 1861
Opening: $300
Sold for: $400
Including buyer's premium
Parchment ketubah for wedding of Shealtiel son of Daniel Montalcino and Sofia daughter of Yaakov Pegna. Livorno, Italy, 6th Nisan 5621, March 17, 1861.
Ink on parchment.
Ketubah on a rectangular parchment sheet, in Sephardic semi-cursive script, with a decorated frame with verses of blessing (Mishlei 18:22, Ruth 4:11, Tehillim 128:3).
Text of ketubah followed by Tena'im and by signatures of witnesses (in Italian): R. David Ottolenghi (1808-1887, Livorno); R. Isaac Vita (Yitzchak Chaim) Alvarenga (1792-1873, Livorno); and R. Avraham Baruch Piperno (1800-1863, Chief Rabbi of Livorno, scribe of the ketubah).
The dowry is listed in both Tuscan and Italian currency, reflecting the ongoing historical transition – the wedding day coincided with the coronation of Victor Emmanuel II as the first king of a united Italy, around which time the Italian lira began to be used as legal tender throughout the kingdom.
44X31.5 cm. Good condition. Minor stains and defects.
Ketubot and marriage documents
Ketubot and marriage documents