The Rothschild Mahzor is a Jewish prayer book for the Roman rite, handwritten and illuminated in Florence in 1490. The scribe, Abraham Judah ben Yehiel of Camerino, copied the text in Italian (Jewish languages) semi-cursive script. Its decoration, featuring floral designs, gold leaf, and colorful initials, reflects the artistry of multiple Florentine workshops (ateliers). Manuscript production in Renaissance Florence often involved collaborations among scribes, illuminators, and goldsmiths, blending Jewish liturgical needs with local artistic traditions. 

Rich Jewish families of the Italian Renaissance often imitated their high-status Christian neighbors, commissioning luxury books on fine parchment for their private collections. This was a way of showing their wealth and nobility. The Norsa family stemma (“coat of arms”) at the bottom reinforces the same point. 

This page features the opening words of the book of Ecclesiastes, read on the holiday of Sukkot. The book is attributed to King Solomon, who is depicted on the right. The format of this page, with its half-length figures within decorative borders, is common in illuminated Renaissance manuscripts, both Jewish and Christian. 

Notice the dress of all the (presumably) Jews who adorn this page. All are men of the Renaissance, none sartorially distinguished as Jews.