Ketubah : Herat, Afghanistan, 1897 September 14

Marriage contract, manuscript, ink and paint on paper, dated the 17th of Elul, 5657 (1897) at Herat. The calligraphic text of this ketubah is set within a delicately decorated border. Above the text is an arcade of five scalloped and pointed arches. Three of the arches contain vases with red roses, and two contain a citation from Isaiah 61:10. Below the text is a long rectangular box which contains the signature of five witnesses. Along the border are blessings to the bride and groom which begin with the word ""siman"" a sign, e.g. a sign of blessing, a sign of joy, a sign of glory, etc. The text is written in block letters. The entire ketubah is enclosed in a red painted panel. Herat ketubot often have an additional line at the conclusion of the text. In this ketubah it states: ""May they be fruitful and multiply with children and sustenance in the community of Israel, and may we be privileged [to see] the coming of the Redeemer in the merit of Moses, Aaron and Samuel.