Encounters of Beauty 

Venice

Several decorative themes appear on Venetian ketubbot: the wedding canopy with the bride and groom, the holy city of Jerusalem, the signs of the zodiac, family emblems and various biblical scenes, often referencing the names of the bride and groom. 

Especially interesting in this selection of sumptuous Italian ketubbot from the National Library of Israel and the Braginsky Collection is the appearance of the same bride in two different Venetian contracts, from 1648 and 1650 (nos. 67 and 68). It is unclear whether she divorced or lost her first husband. 

66 

Venice, Wednesday, 8 Elul 5510 (9 September 1750) 

Jacob, son of David Mendes & Esther, daughter of Moses Cardozo 

Parchment, 942 x 610 mm 

National Library of Israel, Ms. Heb. 1° 901.269

view the ketubbah