Beschreibung:

Large handwritten leaf, ornamented and illustrated in red ink; a riddle, in honor of the wedding of the groom David Shmuel, son of "the glory of our generation, the great eagle… R. Yaakov Pardo", with the bride Rivka daughter of R. Refael Yedidia Valensin. [Ragusa (present day Dubrovnik, Croatia), first half of the 19th century]. The names of the groom, bride, their parents and some other words are written in red ink, the rest of the text is in black ink. Illustrated border with floral motives in red and black ink. The words written in red ink endured, whilst those in black ink faded with time and were recolored. The heading "Key to the Riddle" (hint to the solution of the riddle) was inscribed in the center of the leaf, followed by the hint: "Avraham had a daughter…", in red ink. The riddle poem opens with: "I was placed in prison through no fault of my own". Author's signature at the foot of the leaf: "One who rejoices in your joy, with faithful love, I, N.M.Y.". Presumably, the groom was R. David Shmuel Pardo (1792-1858), son of R. Yaakov Pardo Rabbi of Ragusa. R. David Shmuel served as rabbi of Verona (Italy), and later immigrated to Eretz Israel, settling in Jerusalem. [1] leaf. 51X35.5 cm. Mounted on cardboard. Fair-poor condition. Stains, dampness damage and tears. Dark dampstains to foot of leaf, with fading of text and border ink. Most words and border ornaments in black ink were recolored.