"Shiviti" for Hanukkah - Lithograph - Bombay, 19th Century - Sassoon Family

"Shiviti" for Hanukkah - Lithograph - Bombay, 19th Century - Sassoon Family
Printed "Shiviti". Printed by "Rachamim ben Reuven ben Mordecai, may God protect him", [Bombay, 1863 or 1864].
Leaf, lithography printing.
A unique "Shiviti" that includes blessings for the lighting of Hanukkah candles and illustrations in Indian style. In the center is a "La'Menatze'ach" menorah, flanked by a "Shir La"Ma'a lot" menorah and an "Ana BeKo'ach" menorah. Above them are two palm symbols - "hamsas" - with verses from the "Priestly Benediction". Beneath the menorahs are: a "Hanukkah Seder" with candle-lighting blessings, verses from the Book of Numbers, chapter 7, on the sacrifices brought by the princes of the Tribes of Israel before the Tabernacle (from the Hanukkah Torah portion), and a "Song for the Dedication of the Temple" (Psalm 30). Decorated with birds, flowers, and vegetal motifs, geometric motifs and a brick wall-like frame. In the frame, at the top of the leaf and in the "princes' offerings" verses are illustrations of architectural structures reminiscent of Indian pagodas. At the top of the leaf is a handwritten inscription reading, "In the name of the genial youth Solomon Sassoon… may he be granted the Torah and a Huppah and Mitzvot in the life of his father and the life of his mother…".
The printing press of Rachamim ben Reuven ben Mordecai operated in Bombay in the years 1863-1864. In 1865 or 1866 Rachamim returned to his native Baghdad, where he founded a printing press. The dedication's addressee, Solomon Sassoon (1841-1894) was the son of the first David Sassoon, who died in India in 1864. The content of the dedication indicates it was written during his father's lifetime, from which we may deduce that the "Shiviti" was printed in Bombay in 1863 or 1864.
Early item, unknown bibliographically.
Approx. 39X56.5 cm. Fair-poor condition. Open tears, with damage to text and illustrations. Folding marks and creases. Old restorations: mounted on paper and protected with semi-transparent paper.
Provenance: Sassoon family collection.