From Opium to Torah: Explore the Complex History of the Sassoon Family at the Jewish Museum

by Joelle
Exhibition
Marriage contract of Mikhael Gubbay and Sarah Gubbay Baghdad, 1764 Ink and appliqué decorative paper on paper Benjamin Zucker Family Collection, formerly in the David Solomon Sassoon CollectionTorah and haftarah scrolls in cases commissioned by Flora Sassoon,David Sassoon's desk seal, probably 1863 or 1864. bloodstone, seal set with gold, precious stones, and pearls, Norfolk, UK, Houghton Hall Collection. David Sassoon was granted arms on December 20, 1862. The seal bears the Sassoons motto, "Truth and Faith," in both Latin, Candide et Constanter, and Hebrew, Emet ve-emunah. The phrase is recited after the shema, a central Jewish prayer.Casket with a painting of Bocca Tigris, a strait on the Pearl River Delta, early 19th centuryMarriage contract of Mozelle (Mazal Tov) Sassoon and Elias David Ezra Pune, India, 1870 Print and ink on parchment Benkarin Zucker Family Collection, formerly in the Darid Solomon Sassoon Collection Mozelle was the daughter of Hannah Khatun and Albert Abdullah Sassoon, David Sassoon's eldest son. Her bridegroom, Ellas, belonged to another prominent Baghdad Jewish family. the Ezras, who were based in Kolkata. The decorative program of their ketubbah follows a Dutch model, a short-lived trend among Baghdach Jews. The wedding took place in the Ohel David Synagogue in Pune, founded by the bride's grandfather. The couple's daughter. Hannah Gubbay, became a prominent artHenry Jones Thaddeus, Rachel Sassoon Beer, 1887Mikhail Perkhin Russian, born in 1860, died in 1903 For the House of Carl Fabergé, founded in Saint Petersburg, 1872, closed in 1917From Opium to Torah: Explore the Complex History of the Sassoon Family at the Jewish MuseumFrom Opium to Torah: Explore the Complex History of the Sassoon Family at the Jewish MuseumStandard carried during pilgrimage to the shrine of the Prophet Ezekiel in Al-Kifl, Iraq, 1826-27, silver, 9-7/8 by 4½ by 3/4 inches. The Jewish Museum, New York. Purchase: Judaica Acquisition Fund, 2000. Formerly in the David Solomon Sassoon Collection.John Singer Sargent American, born in 1856, died in 1925 Philip Sassoon 1912 Charcoal on paper Houghton Hall Collection, Norfolk, United KingdomSybil Sassoon, dressed in the latest 1920s fashion, is seated in the ballroom of her brother Philip's house in London. Unlike the two nearby paintings of the Park Lane drawing room, which depict its elegant furnishings, Sims evokes, in a rather abstract way, the work of the Catalan artist Josep Maria Sert, who painted shimmering blue and silver panels on the walls and ceiling.A miniature Quran, published in Glasgow, 1900, 2 × 1½ × ½ in. (s.1 3.8 × 1.3 cm), Norfolk, UK, Houghton Hall Collection. During World War I, Sybil Sassoon, Countess of Rocksavage, donated these miniature Qurans for distribution to Muslim soldiers fighting for the British.Wrist rest Late Qing dynasty to early Republican period, late nineteenth or early twentieth century Figure of the Daoist immortal Li Tieguai China, Republican period, 1912-49 Bodhisattva Guanyin as the Sender of Sons China, late Ming dynasty, sixteenth or seventeenth century Ivory British Museum, London, Sir Victor Sassoon Chinese Ivories Trust The superb craftsmanshipAfter Qian Xuan, Pear Blossoms, China, Yuan dynasty c. 1280

The Sassoon Exhibition at the Jewish Museum is a must Joelle Magazine

If you are curious about the exciting annals of Israelite kins complicated in the narcotic business, do not miss visiting the Sassoon exhibit at the Israelite Place for viewing artifacts. Taking us from the Sassoon family’s poverty to their rise to power and affluence, the exhibition traces the family’s ancestry. The exhibit highlights their extraordinary triumphs in the opium industry and their extensive influence on the global economy.

A lovely shade of crimson paints the first set of apartments as we pass through them. We discover the family’s rise to fame in the opium trade. This article discusses their purchases of real estate and maritime transportation in addition to their engagement with the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation.

David Sasoon The Pioneer

According to the exhibition’s storyline, David Sassoon, the family patriarch, left Baghdad in 1830 due to the increasing persecution of the Jewish population. He leads his descendants from Iraq to India, China, and eventually Mumbai (formerly Bombay) over the course of several decades as they establish roots in England.

Expansion of the opium trade

He soon expanded into the opium trade. As the East India Company declined in the mid-19th century, private enterprises profited from this lucrative business. Through alliances and profits, he profited from British colonialism. In Shanghai, Hong Kong, and London, he dispatched his eight sons to oversee new branches. As a philanthropist, member of the British Parliament, and patron of the arts, Sassoon expanded the family’s opium trade into new markets.

Sir Albert Sassoon

On display are 120 works from private and public collections and a 19th-century opium pipe belonging to Sir Edward Sassoon. This pipe provides a tangible link to the family’s involvement in the opium trade. It serves as a reminder of the complicated history of this industry.

The exhibition also features several paintings by John Singer Sargent, a renowned artist who was a close friend of the Sassoon family. These paintings provide a glimpse into the family’s lavish lifestyle and their patronage of the arts.

Sir Edward Sassoon

With more than 120 works from private and public collections, a 19th-century opium pipe that belonged to Sir Edward Sassoon is also on display, providing a tangible link to the family’s involvement in the opium trade and serving as a reminder of the complicated history of this industry.

Family Jewish Museum

The exhibition also features several paintings by John Singer Sargent, a renowned artist who was a close friend of the Sassoon family. These paintings provide a glimpse into the family’s lavish lifestyle and their patronage of the arts.

Exhibition That Sheds The Lights

A Jewish marriage contract from the 19th century is also on display at the exhibition, belonging to the Sassoon family and providing a fascinating insight into the family’s religious traditions and customs.

The exhibition also sheds light on the complex history of the opium trade and its impact on society, acknowledging the devastating effects of this trade on the Chinese people, leading to the Opium Wars between China and Britain in the mid-19th century. Despite these complexities, the exhibition celebrates the Sassoon family’s contributions to Jewish and global history.

The Jewish Marriage Contract

Marriage contract of Mozelle (Mazal Tov) Sassoon and Elias David Ezra Pune, India, 1870 Print and ink on parchment Benkarin Zucker Family Collection, In addition to the wealth of information about the Sassoon family’s history, the exhibition also features several important artifacts that provide a tangible link to their legacy. Here are five of the most significant artifacts on display:

The Torah of Sassoon

The Sassoon Torah is an exquisite Torah scroll with delicate handwriting and illuminations that the Sassoon family commissioned. The “Sassoon Torah” is the exhibition’s centerpiece and symbolizes the family’s steadfast commitment to their Jewish heritage.

The Family Sassoon

The exhibition includes a collection of rare family photographs that offer a glimpse into the private lives of the Sassoon family. Visitors can see images of the family’s homes, their travels, and their relationships, providing a unique perspective on this influential family.

Family at the Jewish Museum

In conclusion, the Sassoon Exhibition at the Jewish Museum is a rich and engaging experience that offers an interesting insight into the history of the Sassoon family and their impact on Jewish and global history. With its valuable information, interactive displays, and important artifacts, the Sassoon Exhibition is not to be missed.

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