Figure 1 - Egypt, Elephantine, 13 July 449 BCE

Brooklyn Museum: Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Easter Art.  https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/opencollection/objects/3488

Marriage request made by Anani (Ananiah) to Meshullam for the hand of his daughter Tamut, Egypt, Elephantine Islands, 449, July 3 BCE. The document was written by Nathan ben Ananiah.  Papyrus, ink, mud, linen, 33.7 x 38 cm, consisting of 16 lines of text covering entire recto. Several large gaps at top of document. Verso, single line of text.  Condition: Good. Top outer side of papyrus apparently was inscribed. Almost all of top outer fold has been lost. Fabric has broken and cracked on folds and is clearly very brittle.

Figure 2 - Israel, Tzefat (Sefad), 1023

Jewish Press.com  - Rare 1,000 Yr Old Ketubah on Exhibit in Jerusalem  http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/rare-1000-yr-old-ketuba-on-exhibit-in-jerusalem/2015/05/26/

An extremely rare 1,000-year-old ketubah inscribed in Aramaic dates from November 28, 1023, according to Dr. Yoel Finkelman, curator for the National Library’s Judaica section. Written by a scribe named in the ketubah as Yosef ha-Kohen, son of Ya’akov, the document was inscribed in what once was the town of Tzur for a couple named Natan ha-Kohen, son of Shlomo, and Rachel. Both were from Tzefat (Safed) located in the Gallilee, Israel.

Figure 3 - Germany, Worms,13th C

The Times of Israel: In Jerusalem, a glimpse of Newton’s apocalypse, smuggled Syrian bibles, Kafka’s Hebrew.  https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-jerusalem-a-glimpse-of-newtons-apocalypse-smuggled-syrian-bibles-kafkas-hebrew/

A 13th century German prayer book containing the earliest evidence of the Yiddish language.  Israel National Library.

This prayer book was in use until the synagogue was destroyed on Kristallnacht in 1938. The city’s archivist managed to smuggle the two volumes out of a Gestapo basement and hid them in the tower of the city’s cathedral which saved them from the Allied bombings.

Figure 4 - Canon Table, 1256

The New York Times: ArtsBeat. Getty Museum and Armenian Church Reach Agreement Over 13th-Century Manuscript  https://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/09/21/getty-museum-and-armenian-church-reach-agreement-over-13th-century-manuscript/

The J. Paul Getty Museum, after years of legal wrangling over eight pieces of colorful medieval parchment in its collection, announced on Monday that it has recognized a different rightful owner: the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America. The pages, which the illuminator T’oros Roslin painted in the 13th century, were somehow separated a century ago from the rest of a religious manuscript, the Zeyt’un Gospels, which has been preserved at the Matenadaran Institute in Armenia.

Figure 5 - Germany, 1290

Laud Mahzor. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem: The Bezalel Narkiss Index of Jewish Art.

http://cja.huji.ac.il/browser.php?mode=set&id=21943

Figure 6 - Spain, Tudela, 8 Aug 1300

Caminos de Sefarad (Network of Jewish Quarters of Spain).  http://www.redjuderias.org/google/google_maps_print/tudela-en.html

Ketubah establishing the marriage of Selomó, son of Yom-Tob Alparga (Groom) and Soli, the daughter of Hayim ben Kelaf (Bride). It was signed on “Thursday the second of Elul in the year 5060 since the Creation of the Word.  

It is the oldest preserved ketubah in Tudela and it is written in Hebrew, not Aramaic.

Figure 7 - Italy, 1319

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem: The Bezalel Narkiss Index of Jewish Art.   http://cja.huji.ac.il/browser.php?mode=set&id=21503

Ambrosian Italian Miscellany.  Artist was Menachem ben Avraham ben Benjamin ben Yehiel (Scribe).

Figure 8 - Germany, 1355

Jewish Museum Berlin.  https://www.jmberlin.de/en/exhibition-the-creation-of-the-world

An illuminated page from the Mishna Torah, Maimonides.

Figure 9 - Spain, La Coruña - 1476

Page from Sefer Mikhlol by Rabbi David Kimhi from the Kennicott Bible. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem: Center for Jewish Art http://cja.huji.ac.il/sch/browser.php?mode=set&id=701

Figure 10 - Italy, Venice, 1612

Sabar, Shalom. (2000). Ketubah: The Art of the Jewish Marriage Contract. New York: Rizzoli. Marriage contract between Mordecai ben Isaac Gerson (Groom) and Leah bat Joseph Cividal (Bride).  Manuscript 74 x 47.6 cm.  Parchment, watercolor, gold powder, pen and ink.

Figure 11 - The Netherlands, Amsterdam, 1617.

Sabar, Shalom. (2000). Ketubah: The Art of the Jewish Marriage Contract. New York: Rizzoli. Marriage contract between David Curiel (Groom) and Dona Rachel Curiel (Bride).  Manuscript 61.1 x 48 cm.  Parchment, tempera, gold powder, pen and ink.  

Figure 12 - Italy, Manua, 31 May 1662

Beinecke Digital Collections: Rare Book and Manuscript Library.  https://brbl-dl.library.yale.edu/vufind/Record/3442531

Marriage contract between Azri’el Levi ben Avraham Levi Mai (Groom) and Yintilah (Gentila) bat Ya’akov Italiyah (Bride).  Manuscript 50 x 35 cm.  Ink and paint on vellum, dated 13th of Sivan 5422 (1662) at Mantovah. The text is framed by an elaborate arch. At the top of the arch is the statement This gate is for God, only the righteous will enter through it. Within the arch above the text is a cartouche with a picture with a pitcher pouring water into a basin. This image is in honor of the bridegroom who is a Levite. Throughout the ketubah are Biblical quotations written in exquisite micrography and larger block Hebrew letters.

Figure 13 - Italy, Venice, 10 Jul 1699

Marriage contract of Sh’muel ben Canuch (Groom) and Graciaza bat Yitzchak (Bride).

Figure 14 - Italy, Ferrara, 11 May 1736

Beinecke Digital Collections: Rare Book and Manuscript Library.  https://brbl-dl.library.yale.edu/vufind/Record/3436671

Marriage contract between Eliezer Aaron ben David Abraham ha-Kohen (Groom) and Guidita bat David ben Moses ha-Hohen (Bride).  Manuscript 81 x 64 cm. Ink and paint on vellum, dated 1 Sivan 5496 at Ferara (1736). The sign of the outspread hands on the top and the bottom indicate that both the bride and the groom are of priestly families. The name of each of their families thus ends with Kohen. The two figures on top represent wisdom (right) and courage (left). The four cartouches along the inner border depict the four seasons. The writing along the border is from the Book of Ruth. The two large figures on either side of the document represent plenty (right) and justice (left). The pomegranates on the bottom and in the cartouche, depicting summer, symbolizing fertility.

Figure 15 - Italy, Rivarolo, 1774 (Zodiac signs above text)

Custom Ketubah: Animals in Ketubah Art https://customketubah.com/blog/animals-in-ketubah-art/.

Figure 16 - Greece, Thesselonike, 1 Jul 1789

Beinecke Digital Collections: Rare Book and Manuscript Library. https://brbl-dl.library.yale.edu/vufind/Record/3442527

Marriage contract between Ye’oshu’a ben Eliyahu (Groom) and Simha demitkarit bat Moshe [Shemu’el?] (Bride). Manuscript 78 x 66 cm. Ink on vellum, dated 7 Tamuz 5549 at Saloniki, Greece. Surrounding the two columns of text are birds, flowers, fruit, columns, biblical sayings, Eshet Hayil, Shir ha-shirim. The right column contains the marriage terms, and the left column contains the betrothal terms. Colors used are brown, with coral & dark grayish blue-green.

Figure 17 - England, Portsmouth,  28 April 1824

Beinecke Digital Collections: Rare Book and Manuscript Library.  https://brbl-dl.library.yale.edu/vufind/Record/3445101

Marriage contract between Eli’ezer ben Binyamin ha-Levi (Groom) and Hena bat Barukh ha-Levi (Bride).  Manuscript 33 x 20 cm.  Ink on vellum dated 30th of Nisan 5584 at Portsmoit (1824). The text is both written in by hand and printed and is surrounded by two columns on either side. Above the columns are two putti, which stand beside an oval which is topped by a crown. The two putti are blowing trumpets which are emitting a song of blessings for the bride and groom. At the bottom are several signatures including that of the groom and witnesses.

Figure 18  - Romania, Bucharest, 2 Jul 1840

Beinecke Digital Collections: Rare Book and Manuscript Library.  https://brbl-dl.library.yale.edu/vufind/Record/3442526

Marriage contract between Ya’akov Hazan ben Hayim Yisra’el Hazan (Groom) and Rivkah bat Eliyahu (Bride).  Manuscript 84 x 56 cm. Ink and paint on paper, dated ~5600 (~1840) at Bukaresht. Surrounding the text are floral decorations with a floral border, two arches, and four columns. The columns enclose three sections of text. The right-hand side has the marriage text, the left-hand side has the betrothal terms. The middle section may contain the dowry list. 

Figure 19 - Bulgaria, Vidin, 31 Mar 1852

Beinecke Digital Collections: Rare Book and Manuscript Library.  https://brbl-dl.library.yale.edu/vufind/Record/3442528

Marriage contract between Ye’udah Aryeh ben Hayim Aryeh (Groom) and Marat demitkari Mirkadah ben Mosheh (Bride).  Manuscript 67 x 51 cm.  Ink nd paint on paper with a scalloped top, dated 11th of Nisan 5612 (1852) at Vidin. Two columns of text are bordered by two arches. The right column contains the terms of the marriage (kidushin) and the left side, the terms of the betrothal (erushin). Both are signed by the same two witnesses. On the left side there is additional text at the bottom, perhaps enumerating the dowry. The text is written in Sephardic style script. The gilded illuminations depict columns decorated with floral designs.

Figure 20 - Iran, Tazd, 1861

Beinecke Digital Collections: Rare Book and Manuscript Library. https://brbl-dl.library.yale.edu/vufind/Record/3442525?image_id=1162036

Marriage contract between Mosheh ben Shemuel (Groom) and Malka bat Akai (Bride), Thursday, 27 Heshvan 5622 (October 31, 1861). Surrounded by a floral border reminiscent of Persian rug designs; the upper register contains two small lions in front of two rising personalized suns. One of the suns is quite small and seems to have lost its rays. There is a cypress tree on either side of the lions. The lion and the rising sun were the national symbols of Iran until the revolution of 1979 that deposed the Shah. The cypress tree plays a central role in Iran's most famous gardens. The oldest living cypress in the world is in Iran's Yazd province. Above the lions are two fishes, symbols of fertility. The lower register contains the text written in block letters with the date of the marriage and the terms of the financial settlement added in smaller letters. Below the main text, is a statement in Judeo-Persian, written in Hebrew cursive characters, which most probably concerns additional gifts of the groom to his bride. 

Figure 21 - India, Calcutta 1881

Custom Ketubah: Animals in Ketubah Art https://customketubah.com/blog/animals-in-ketubah-art/

Marriage contract between Ezra ben Yechezkel Chaim Avraham Gabbay (Groom) and Rebekah the daughter of Elisha (Bride).  Peace be upon the children of the priest; Witness: Shimon Refael Chaim Yitzhak.  Popular decorations.

Figure 22 - Baghdadi-Indian, 1895

Jewish Museum London.  http://www.jewishmuseum.org.uk/search-collections?adlibid=17709&offset=42

Marriage contract between David ben Shaul David (Groom) and Simha bat Joseph Sassoon (Bride).

Figure 23 - India, Bombay,14 Sep 1915

Beinecke Digital Collections: Rae Book and Manuscript Library.  

https://brbl-dl.library.yale.edu/vufind/Record/3444429

Marriage contract between Re’uven ben Yisra’el Re’uven (Groom) and Havah bat Eliyahu Brukh (Bride).  Manuscript 34 x 24 cm.  Ink on paper, dated 6th of Tishre 5676 at Bombay (1915). A green printed border encloses the handwritten text. Above the text is the circular stamp of the Magen David Synagogue, Bombay, in red ink. Beneath the text, near the signatures of the witnesses and groom, the bride put a circular mark in lieu of her signature.

Figure 24 - Israel, 22 June 2016

Wedding of Ran ben Avraham (Groom) and Shiran bat Roni (Bride) that I attended.  Photo taken by me.

This ketubah is an original, hand-painted work of art around a pre-printed text.