Bidspirit auction | Chochmat HaMishkan – Mantua, 1676

Chochmat HaMishkan – Mantua, 1676 – Only Edition - Chochmat HaMishkan, explanation of the form of the Tabernacle vessels and the priestly vestments, by R. Yosef Richetti. Mantua: printer not indicated, [1676]. Only edition. The introduction to the work was authored by the famous kabbalist R. Moshe Zacuto – the Ramaz (see article by M. Benayahu, cited below). The final page of this book contains a key for 18 illustrations of each of the Tabernacle vessels and priestly vestments. The author intended to print along with the book illustrations for each of the Tabernacle vessels and priestly vestments, as he writes in the ”author's apologia” on the last leaf: ”At the beginning of this labor of mine I intended to design pictures… And I began to make considerable efforts to have the artists engrave the pictures, but it all came to nought, for the labor was ruined, since the artists in this city are not so adept at this work…”. The author goes on to state his intention to complete the printing of the pictures when he arrives in Venice, based on the detailed key he printed, but the planned illustrations were evidently never produced. Corrections and glosses in Italian script on margins, in several places, with small illustrations added (handwritten by the author?). Inside the front board, inscriptions in Italian script (copying of various passages relating to the Tabernacle and Temple). R. Yosef Richetti was a talented artist who worked as copyist, scribe and decorator of Megillot and ketubot, painter, potter, metalworker and more. Born in Italy (most likely in Venice) to R. Eliezer Shalit Richetti, he immigrated to Safed in his youth, between 1640-1643, later returning to Italy as emissary of Safed between 1674-1676. For more information, see at length: M. Benayahu, R. Yosef Richetti – A Young Artist from Italy Who Immigrated to Safed, Asufot, II, 1988, pp. 359-372 (Hebrew). 9, [3] leaves. 20.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Small marginal open tears to title page. Old binding (colorful), with minor defects. Bookplate of Mozes Heiman Gans.