Federico Gonzaga II, Duke of Mantua, Grants the Jewish Community of Mantua Permission to Maintain a Slaughterhouse, Mantua: 5 September 1532

Manuscript document on vellum, (12 7/8 x 16¾ in.; 327 x 425 mm,) written in an italic hand in brown ink, papered wax seal; early mend of tear in lower right corner, 5 holes mended of which one touches the date, seal deteriorated and mostly gone. Cream cloth drop box.

Shlomo Simonsohn, History of the Jews in the Duchy of Mantua, Jerusalem: 1977

Manuscript document on vellum, (12 7/8 x 16¾ in.; 327 x 425 mm,) written in an italic hand in brown ink, papered wax seal; early mend of tear in lower right corner, 5 holes mended of which one touches the date, seal deteriorated and mostly gone. Cream cloth drop box.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The Jewish community of Mantua was established ca. 1145. Flourishing in the following centuries, they were protected by a series of privileges granted to them by popes, emperors, and the Gonzaga rulers of Mantua. To meet their needs for kosher meat, the Jews were, for many years, afforded space within the municipal slaughterhouse where they could conduct shehitah, or ritual slaughter of animals.  In 1519, permission was granted to Abraham Mandolino to set up a separate abattoir for the Jews of Mantua.  Abraham was given a five year monopoly and the patent was renewed in 1523 by his widow Anna.  In 1527 a dispute occurred between Anna and the Jewish community and subsequently her monopoly on the slaughter of kosher meat was revoked and transferred to the Jewish community.  The present document  of 1532 confirms the privilege of the Jewish community  to operate a slaughterhouse and prohibits others from doing so without the permission of the massari (elected officials of the Jewish community).