כתובה מאויירת – פרס, 1895

Ketubah for the wedding of the groom Joseph ben Jacob with the bride Qanam bat Israel. Dalghargan [Gulpaigan, Persia], {year} [1895]. Ink and watercolors on paper. Decorated frame with leaves and colorful flowers, in a design typical of the Jews of the region. Frame-verses: "And their offspring shall be known among the nations... all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the offspring whom the Lord hath blessed; I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall exult in my God... as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels" (Isaiah 61), and "If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning; if I take not Jerusalem even above my chief joy." In the upper part of the ketubah a traditional opening according to the custom of several communities in Persia, written in columns, decorated with geometric patterns: "Light and gladness, honor and greatness, a crown of praise in joy and exultation for the wise of the diaspora and the congregation of the precious, for the young groom and the young bride with prosperous sons and fertile and many." After the text of the ketubah "addition to ketubah" in Judeo-Persian before the signatures of the witnesses and family members. Additional addition in Judeo-Persian from the year {year} [1925], with additional signatures. 58×44 cm. Fair condition. Stains, color fading. Tears along fold marks.