Ketubah DeIrkasa for the Daughter of Chacham Bashi Rabbi Chaim Avraham Gagin - Ornamented Jerusalemite Ketubah - ...

Ketubah DeIrkasa for the Daughter of Chacham Bashi Rabbi Chaim Avraham Gagin - Ornamented Jerusalemite Ketubah - Jerusalem, 1844
"See life with the woman whom you love", "Ketubah DeIrkasa" for the wealthy Shemaya Angel and his wife Fisli(?) Vida, daughter of R. Chaim Avraham Gagin. Jerusalem, 20th Kislev 1844. Ink and watercolor on paper. "Ketubah DeIrkasa" - replacement of a lost Ketubah, for Fisli Vida, daughter of Chacham Bashi and Rishon LeTzion R. Chaim Avraham Gagin - HaRav Agan (1787-1848), and the wealthy Shemaya Angel, community leader in Damascus. Signed by the husband and by the witnesses: "Refael Avraham Machluf Chayat", "Chaim Moshe Pizanti" (R. Refael Avraham Machluf Chayat and R. Chaim Moshe Pizanti, Jerusalem rabbis. They signed together in 1843 on a letter defending R. Chaim Avraham Gagin in the Jerusalem conflict of 1841-1845 - see: Asufot, 6, pp. 369-370). The Ketubah is decorated in the Jerusalemite Ketubah style. The text is flanked by pillars supporting a dome, and a stylized blooming bush is seen above, with cypress trees on each side; ornamented floral frame topped with a dome filled with flowers. Shemaya Angel, a Damascene banker and community leader, is remembered for his activity following the 1860 riots in Damascus. In July 1860, a crowd of Damascene Muslims and Druze attacked a Christian quarter in the city, causing heavy casualties. The Jews, who lived close to the Christian quarter, were reputedly miraculously saved from the massacre by hanging Tzitzit on the entrances of their homes (the miracle of the Jews' rescue from the riots was dubbed "the miracle of Tosheh"). Following the massacre, the rioters were arrested, together with some Damascene Jews who were accused of collaborating with the rioters. Angel visited the prisoners daily, and was involved in the efforts that eventually led to their release. In the difficult years following the riots, he was active in philanthropic work, assisting the Damascene community. 64X47 cm. Fair condition. Tears and open tears, affecting text and decorations, professionally restored. Significant loss, restored with paper and with completion of decorations. Large stains. Mold stains. Mounted on thin paper.