Ketubah : Rome, Italy, 1820, October 25

Marriage contract, manuscript, ink and paint on vellum, dated 17th of Hesvan 5581 at Roma (1820). The two illustrations on the top allude to the names of the bride and groom: Moses and Esther. The ornamental border interweaves flowers and micrography. The rounded lower edge is a typical feature of the ketubot of the Jews of Rome. The micrography outlining the urn at the bottom of the border consists of the seven blessings recited during the marriage ceremony. The micrography woven into the ornamental border is made up of verses from the Book of Psalms and other passages relating to marriage. The day of the week of the wedding is written in large gilded letters in a cartouche in the center of the document.