FROM OPIUM TO TORAH: EXPLORE THE COMPLEX HISTORY

William Melville portrait of David Sasson 1840 oil on canvas

John Singer Sargent, Sir Philip Sassoon, 1923; Hand of Philip Sassoon, 1923

John Singer Sargent, Sybil, Countess of Rocksavage, 1913

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 Collection

Torah and haftarah scrolls in cases commissioned by Flora Sassoon,

Torah finials Schoonhoven, Netherlands, 1840-57

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 century

Marriage 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 art

Henry Jones Thaddeus, Rachel Sassoon Beer, 1887

Gifts presented to Queen Mary on her birthday by Philip Sassoon, 1934 and 1935 Lent by His Majesty King Charles III Scent bottle Lahore (now in Pakistan), late Mughal period, early nineteenth century Jade, gold, pearls, diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds

Mikhail Perkhin Russian, born in 1860, died in 1903 For the House of Carl Fabergé, founded in Saint Petersburg, 1872, closed in 1917

John Singer Sargent American, born in 1856, died in 1925 Head of a Capri Girl 1878 Oil on canvas Inscribed "To Philip" Private collection, formerly in the Philip Sassoon Collection Philip Sassoon eschewed the avant-garde in favor of figurative artists. He owned an extensive collection of works by John Singer Sargent, including this captivating portrait of a girl from Capri, Italy. Other works by Sargent from Philip's collection are on view in the following galleries, including portraits of Philip himself and his mother, Aline, as well as two World War I paintings.

Snuffbox presented to Queen Mary by Mozelle Sassoon, Christmas 1934. Paris, c. 1762–68. Sablé gold with pearls, opals, and enamel; ¼ × 2 ½ × 1 13/16 in. (3.1 × 6.2 × 4.5 cm). Lent by His Majesty King Charles III. Photo Credit: Royal Collection Trust/© His Majesty King Charles III 2023

John Singer Sargent. Sybil, Countess of Rocksavage, 1922. Oil on canvas; 63 ½ × 35 5/8 in. (161.3 × 89.8 cm). Courtesy Houghton Hall Collection, used by permission. Image: Painters / Alamy Stock Photo

John Singer Sargent American, born in 1856, died in 1925 Sybil Sassoon 1912 Charcoal on paper Private collection Sybil Sassoon 1910 Charcoal on paper Private collection Sargent's first portraits of

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

Standard 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.

William Orpen Irish, born in 1878, died in 1931 Sybil Sassoon, Countess of Rocksavage 1913 Oil on canvas Private collection

John Singer Sargent American, born in 1856, died in 1925 Philip Sassoon 1912 Charcoal on paper Houghton Hall Collection, Norfolk, United Kingdom

Charles Sims British, born in 1873, died in 1928 The Ballroom at 25 Park Lane with Sybil Sassoon c. 1923 Tempera on board

Sassoon Haggadah, c. 1320; The Sassoons: Passover Haggadah, 1868

Sybil 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.

Philip de László Hungarian, born in 1869, died in 1937 Sir Philip Sassoon 1915 Oil on canvas Houghton Hall Collection, Norfolk, United Kingdom LEFT Glyn Warren Philpot British, born in 1884, died in 1937 Siegfried Sassoon 1917 Oil on canvas The Syndics of the Fitzwilliam Museum,

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 craftsmanship

Famille verte garniture, China, Qing dynasty, Kangxi period, 1662–1722

Miniature Mountain, China, late Qing dynasty, probably nineteenth century

After Qian Xuan, Pear Blossoms, China, Yuan dynasty c. 1280

John Singer Sargent American, born in 1856, died in 1925 ABOVE The Road 1918 Oil on canvas Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the Hayden Collection-Charles Henry Hayden Fund BELOW American Troops Going Up the Line, 1918 Oil on canvas Houghton Hall Collection, Norfolk, United Kingdom, formerly in the Philip Sassoon Collection

The Sassoon Exhibition at the Jewish Museum Joelle Magazine

The Sassoon Exhibition at the Jewish Museum is a must-see event for anyone interested in the fascinating history of Jewish families in the opium trade. The display presents the tale of the Sassoon family, commonly referred to as the “Rothschild’s of the East,” who advanced from modest origins to achieve status as one of the most prosperous and powerful families worldwide. The exhibit highlights their extraordinary triumphs in the opium industry and their extensive influence on the global economy.

As we traverse the initial pair of chambers, adorned in a rich hue of Scarlet, we are presented with a thorough narrative detailing the ascent of the family to eminence in the opium industry. This account includes their diverse commercial attempts, such as their participation in the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, and their acquisitions in the realm of property and maritime transportation.

The exhibition’s storyline commences in the early 1830s, as David Sassoon, the patriarch of the family, is compelled to depart his hometown of Baghdad owing to the increasing persecution of the Jewish population there. After settling in Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay) and initially pursuing trade in cotton, he displays remarkable foresight and leads his family on a journey from Iraq to India, China, and ultimately England, where his descendants gradually establish roots over several decades.

His commercial pursuits soon expand to include the opium trade, which had surged after the decline of the East India Company in the mid-19th century, freeing up the field for private enterprises to profit from this lucrative business. He forms alliances with and profits from British colonial interests, and soon expands his operations to China and England, dispatching his eight sons to oversee fresh branches in Shanghai, Hong Kong, and London. One of the highlights of the exhibition is the story of Sir Albert Sassoon, a philanthropist, member of the British Parliament, and patron of the arts, who expanded the family’s opium trade into new markets, such as Persia and Central Asia.

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.

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.

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.

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 Sassoon Torah is a stunning Torah scroll commissioned by the Sassoon family, featuring intricate calligraphy and illuminations. The “Sassoon Torah” is a highlight of the exhibition and is a testament to the family’s dedication to their Jewish faith.
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 personal relationships, providing a unique perspective on this influential family.

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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