Auction 78 - Rare and Important Items
Decorated Parchment Manuscript, Sephardi-Rite Selichot – Produced by Fortunata Fiano – Italy, 1793 – Original Leather Binding with the Fiano Family Emblem
Opening: $1,000
Estimate: $2,000 - $4,000
Sold for: $6,250
Including buyer's premium
Decorated parchment manuscript, Sephardi-rite selichot, produced by Mazal Tov (Fortunata) Fiano. [Italy], 1793.
Pocket size. Black and gold ink on thin parchment leaves. Title page within architectural border with geometric and floral motifs. Text on each page set within gold frame.
The title page indicates that this selichot was produced by Mazal Tov daughter of R. Yehuda Fiano, in 1793.
This manuscript was produced by Fiano for her private use. The selichot follow Sephardi-rite, and some of the piyyutim are still recited today in the Florence rite.
Original leather binding with fine gilt decorations. The front and back boards bear the Fiano family emblem (see enclosed material) within a medallion, with the initials of the scribe and owner of the manuscript: F.F. (= Fortunata Fiano).
The Fiano family is a prominent Jewish family originating from Rome (named after the town Fiano Romano, which the Jews were expelled from in 1569). The members of the Fiano family resided in Rome and Ancona, and from the 18th century, also in Florence.
[17] leaves (and three blank parchment leaves). Approx. 12 cm. Good condition. Stains (several dark stains). Ink fading in several places. Fabric bookmark. Original leather binding.
For more information about female scribes and copyists, see: A.M. Haberman, Nashim Maatikot, Kiryat Sefer XIII (Nissan 1936), pp. 114-120. Haberman compiled a list of manuscripts scribed by women; however, the present manuscript is not listed there.
Pocket size. Black and gold ink on thin parchment leaves. Title page within architectural border with geometric and floral motifs. Text on each page set within gold frame.
The title page indicates that this selichot was produced by Mazal Tov daughter of R. Yehuda Fiano, in 1793.
This manuscript was produced by Fiano for her private use. The selichot follow Sephardi-rite, and some of the piyyutim are still recited today in the Florence rite.
Original leather binding with fine gilt decorations. The front and back boards bear the Fiano family emblem (see enclosed material) within a medallion, with the initials of the scribe and owner of the manuscript: F.F. (= Fortunata Fiano).
The Fiano family is a prominent Jewish family originating from Rome (named after the town Fiano Romano, which the Jews were expelled from in 1569). The members of the Fiano family resided in Rome and Ancona, and from the 18th century, also in Florence.
[17] leaves (and three blank parchment leaves). Approx. 12 cm. Good condition. Stains (several dark stains). Ink fading in several places. Fabric bookmark. Original leather binding.
For more information about female scribes and copyists, see: A.M. Haberman, Nashim Maatikot, Kiryat Sefer XIII (Nissan 1936), pp. 114-120. Haberman compiled a list of manuscripts scribed by women; however, the present manuscript is not listed there.
Early and Illustrated Manuscripts
Early and Illustrated Manuscripts