Auction 1 - Rare Hebrew Books, Manuscripts & Rabbinic Letters
Lot 9:
Description
A rare and charming Persian Jewish decorated ketubah, executed in ink and watercolor on paper, documenting the marriage of Aka Baba son of Refael and Leah daughter of Yosef, celebrated in Tehran, Iran, on 7 Tishrei 5666 (October 6, 1905). Distinguished by its unusual booklet format and refined manuscript decoration, this ketubah offers a remarkable glimpse into the artistic traditions and ceremonial culture of the Jewish community of Tehran at the beginning of the twentieth century.
Unlike the more common single-sheet format of Persian ketubot, this exceptional example was prepared as a four-page illuminated booklet, preserving the marriage contract within an intimate and carefully designed manuscript format. The text of the ketubah is enclosed within elaborate decorative frames, while the conclusion bears the signatures of the groom and the witnesses Avraham son of Baba and Shalom son of Reuven, providing a valuable record of the individuals who participated in the legal and communal affirmation of the marriage.
The manuscript is decorated along the margins with vibrant bands of red, blue, and yellow, enhanced with delicate touches of gold. The ornamental style reflects the influence of the broader artistic environment of Iran, particularly the refined aesthetic of Islamic manuscript illumination, in which colorful borders, rhythmic patterns, and precious metallic accents were used to elevate written texts into works of visual beauty.
Persian Jewish ketubot are celebrated for their distinctive synthesis of Jewish legal tradition and Persian artistic expression. This example, created in Tehran during the late Qajar period, represents the continuation of a centuries-old tradition in which the marriage contract served not only as a legal document but also as a treasured ceremonial object reflecting the identity, creativity, and cultural heritage of Iranian Jewry.
Preserved with its original paper cover, this unusual four-leaf ketubah measures approximately 21 cm. Despite creases, minor tears, and old fold lines that have undergone professional restoration, it retains its delicate decorative character and remains a significant example of Persian Jewish manuscript art.
Provenance:The Melikian Collection
Opening price: $2350
Share this lot:
