Decorated manuscript, Mincha and Arvit prayers of weekday, Shabbat and Motza'ei Shabbat, produced by Shaul [son of] Yosef Avraham Somekh. Baghdad, 1882.
Complete, masterfully scribed and decorated, pocket-sized manuscript. Semi-cursive and square Oriental script. Decorated title pages and carpet pages, initial words and other ornaments, in various colors (gilt in several places). Every page is decorated.
The manuscript is divided into a few parts: weekday Mincha and Arvit; Mincha for Erev Shabbat; Kabbalat Shabbat, Arvit of Shabbat, the Shalom Alechem song, Eshet Chayil and Kiddush for Friday night; Mincha of Shabbat; Arvit of Motza'ei Shabbat, Havdalah and Birkat HaMazon.
Each part opens with a title page, with a carpet page on verso (apart from final part which opens with a title page only). The colorful carpet pages feature intricate geometric and foliate designs.
Verses in the outer border of the first title page. Inscription in the inner border: "Order of Mincha and Arvit for weekdays and Shabbat, and Arvit of Motza'ei Shabbat, 1882"; in the center of the title page: "1882". The other title pages and carpet pages bear similar inscriptions.
Writer's colophon on the final page: "Shaul Yosef Avraham Somekh". His name is inscribed again, in decorated characters, before Birkat HaMazon.
Picture of Menachi J. Someck mounted on p. 20b.

[62] written leaves (+ blank leaves). Approx. 10 cm. Good condition. Stains. Blemishes to paint in several places. Original leather binding, with minor blemishes.

Provenance: The Gross Family Collection, Tel Aviv, IQ.011.012.