Manuscript, Neatly Scribed Tiklal Siddur, with Colorful Ornaments and Illustrations – Scribed by Rabbi Shalom ...

Manuscript, Neatly Scribed Tiklal Siddur, with Colorful Ornaments and Illustrations – Scribed by Rabbi Shalom Korach, Prominent Yemenite Rabbi – Sanaa, 1938 – Elegant Box Binding

Manuscript, "Order of prayers for all festivals", Azharot for Shavuot, prayers for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and Torah reading for special days, scribed by R. Shalom Korach. Sanaa, [1938].
Impressive volume. Masterfully scribed in Yemenite script, on wide-margined, high-quality paper; with colorful ornaments and illustrations. Decorated title pages, initial words, headings and colophons – all in vivid shades of red, orange, green and purple. Illustration of trees and birds in haftarah for second day of Shavuot. Placed in an elegant box binding, with fine silver clasps and ornaments, some gilt.
The manuscript was scribed and decorated by R. Shalom Korach (prominent Yemenite rabbi) for R. Yichye Badichi. The title page states: "Order of prayers for all festivals – commissioned by… R. Yichye son of Suleiman son of R. Yosef son of Shalom Albidichi; scribed by… Shalom son of R. Yichye son of R. Chaim son of R. Yosef – written here Sanaa, Yemen, 1938". At the end of the Azharot, colophon marking the end of the writing, dated 3rd Sivan 1938.
Decorated title pages before the Azharot, and before the Torah readings (stating the place and date of writing – Sanaa, Yemen, 1938).
In several places, the writer added marginal glosses, relating to his efforts to write the precise text of the prayers and piyyutim.
The Torah readings include cantillation marks, and many marginal notes clarifying the accurate text of the Bible and Targum, with mention of other versions.
Colophon of final page (p. 135b) by the scribe R. Shalom Korach, dated Thursday, 4th Elul 1938.
The scribe, R. Shalom Korach (1873 – Cheshvan 1952), prominent Yemenite rabbi, and leader of the Sanaa community. He was a teacher and educator, who edified many disciples. He authored many works (Midrash Ashrei, Ginzei Chochmah, Derech HaChachamim, Divrei Shalom, and more). "The books he copied stand out for their great accuracy and splendor. He was an expert scribe with a flair for beauty and colorfully ornamented his books" (Encyclopedia L'Chachmei Teiman, I, p. 566).

[135] leaves (and many blank leaves at beginning and end of volume). 24.5 cm. Good condition. Stains and wear. Original box binding, with silver ornaments. Minor blemishes to spine.

A decorated manuscript of Pirkei Avot with commentary of the Rambam, scribed by R. Shalom Korach, was sold at Kedem, Auction 49, Part I, lot 137.
The binding is documented in the Center for Jewish Art (CJA), item 339308.
Provenance: The Gross Family Collection, Tel Aviv, YM.011.002.