15:17:02
[
Login
]
[
Book List
]
Bidding Information
Lot #
14852
Auction End Date
6/13/2006 1:21:30 PM (mm/dd/yyyy)
Title Information
Title (English)
Letter to the Jews of Casale Monferrato
Title (Hebrew)
כתב לק'ק קאסלי מונפראטוי
Author
[Ms. - Community]
City
Tiberius
Publication Date
1817
Collection Information
Independent Item
This listing is an independent item not part of any collection
Description Information
Physical
Description
[1] p., 313:210 mm., light age staining, ink on paper, signed and dated.
Detailed
Description
Letter to the Jews of Casale Monferrato thanking them for their generosity in support of the Jewish community in Tiberius. Casale Monferrato, town in Piedmont, N. Italy. Jews first settled in Casale Monferrato during the 1430s. By the beginning of the 16th century, there was a small but well-organized community whose members engaged in commerce and loan-banking under the aegis of the Paleologi. Changes in the regime in 1536 led to anti-Jewish riots during which Jewish homes were pillaged. However, under the Gonzaga dukes (1536–1708) the rights formerly enjoyed by the Jews in Casale Monferrato were renewed. They were obliged to wear the Jewish badge (a yellow cord sewn into the cape) and pay heavy taxes, in exchange for which they were permitted to engage in commerce, lend money on interest, and farm customs dues. A blood accusation was circulated in 1611, but to no grave consequences. Special privileges were granted in 1688 to the wealthy Clava (Katzigin) and Jona families. At that time the Jewish population numbered about 500 to 600. After Casale Monferrato passed to the dukes of Savoy (1709) the privileges formerly accorded to the community remained in force. During the 18th century the position deteriorated: in 1724 a ghetto was established in Casale Monferrato; the Jews were forced to sell their real estate and their economic situation was undermined. The Jews were granted equal civic rights during the French occupation of the area (1799–1814) but these were abrogated in 1814, and Jewish residence was again restricted to the ghetto. In 1848, the Jews were granted complete emancipation. The community then numbered about 850. Subsequently, the Jewish population in Casale Monferrato decreased because of migration to the large cities. The synagogue of Casale Monferrato, the "Oratorio Israelitico," was built in 1595. Its graceful arcades, recently restored frescoes, and numerous inscriptions make it one of the most interesting in N. Italy. It is a monument of great artistic and historical interest, a valid proof of the important role played by the Jewish community in this city, once capital of a prestigious independent marquisate.
Reference
Description
EJ
Associated Images
2 Images
(Click thumbnail to view full size image)
:
Order
Image
Caption
1
2
Listing Classification
Period
19th Century:
Checked
Location
Israel:
Checked
Italy:
Checked
Subject
History:
Checked
Characteristic
Language:
Hebrew
Manuscript Type
Letters:
Checked
Kind of Judaica
