739 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. VOL. XXXIV. 
whosoever performs the ceremony, takes another cup of wine, pro- 
nounces over it seven benedictions, and hands it again to the bride 
and bridegroom, who taste it, and the ceremony is then concluded. 
The contract is dated Rome, in the year of creation 5576 (1816). 
The contracting parties are Elijah Saki and Masal-Tob (Fortune), 
of Castlenuovo. The witnesses to the contract are Joshua Gerson 
Ashkenazi and Michael Hayim Megula. 
The margin is decorated with various symbolical figures, and con- 
tains the liturgy of the wedding ceremony and passages from the 
Bible and the Talmud referring to marriage and married life, 
artistically intertwined in garlands. Above, in the center, are prob- 
ably the arms of the bridegroom; to the right a boy standing on a 
wheel pouring out the horn of plenty, with the motto: “All depends ~ 
on merit and good luck; ” to the left a female figure with tambour- 
ines, and the words: “ Peace and welcome to those nigh and far.” 
Below, to the right, is a female figure holding two burning hearts 
linked together by a chain, with the adage: “A well-mated couple is 
chosen by God” (marriages are made in heaven) ; to the left another 
female figure holding a tambourine and a flower, with a quotation 
from Isaiah xxxil, 8. The representation at the bottom, of Elijah 
ascending to heaven in a fiery chariot, his mantle falling on his 
disciple and successor Elisha,“ was probably suggested by the name of 
the bridegroom. Measurements, 30 by 194 inches. (Plate XCIX, 
Cat. No. 153633, U.S.N.M). 
135. Gotp Werppinc Rinc.—Made in form of two hands linked. 
The Jewish marriage is made valid by the Aiddushin, that is, by 
the bridegroom putting a ring on the hand of the bride while say- 
ing the words: Behold thou art wedded to me by this ring, accord- 
ing to the law of Moses and Israel. (Cat. No. 154435, U.S.N.M.) 
136. Marriage Contract.—Manuscript, written on parchment and 
uUluminated. Dated Rome, 5590 A. M. (1830 A. D.). The con- 
tracting parties are Mahalalel of Susa and Virtuosa Binah. The 
witnesses are Joshua Gerson Ashkenazi and Moses Milano. The 
margin 1s decorated with floral designs and figures. To the right is 
a female figure holding a crown and an olive branch; to the left 
is that of Justice with scales and sword; while below an old man 
points the young wanderer on the pathway of life heavenward. 
Measurements, 325 by 212 inches. (Cat. No. 154630, U.S.N.M.) 
137. Marriacr Contracr.—Manuscript, written on parchment and 
illuminated. Dated Rome, 5597 A. M. (1837 A. D.). The con- 
tracting parties are Aaron Marcus and Quintiliana of Capua. The 
witnesses are Joshua Gerson Ashkenazi and Raphael Johannan 
Ephraim Casnulu. The margin is ornamented with floral designs 
and figures. Above is the representation of a young couple bound 
@TI Kings ii, 11-13. 
