Fondo Statuti
Item
Country
IT
Name of institution (English)
Ariostea Municipal Library
Name of institution (official language of the state)
Language of name of institution
ita
Contact information: postal address
Palazzo Paradiso, Via delle Scienze 17, 44121 Ferrara
Contact information: phone number
0039 053 2418200
Contact information: web address
Contact information: email
info.ariostea@comune.fe.it
Reference number
Fondo Statuti
Type of reference number
Archival reference number
Title (English)
Statutes Fonds
Title (official language of the state)
Fondo Statuti
Language of title
ita
Creator / accumulator
Biblioteca Comunale Ariostea
Date note
1391/18th century
Language(s)
ita
lat
Extent
48 storage units
Type of material
Textual Material
Physical condition
Satisfactory
Scope and content
The Fondo Statuti contains the statutory norms, chapters, decrees, sentences and determinations which, over the centuries, were voted and approved within the individual Arti (guilds) and then confirmed and issued by the political and judicial authorities. It also contains the list of members, among them it is possible to find numerous Jews who practised these arts and crafts. Indeed, Jewish-related documentation can be found in the following manuscripts:
Fondo Statuti 41: documents related to the Arte dei Merciari (Grocers Guild), including the following:
December 1, 1494: sentence pronounced by Filippo Cestarelli, the judge of the “savi”, on a supplication submitted by Siviero Calzetta, “massaro” of the Arte dei Merzari, complaining of Jews who did not respect the ducal rescript of September 29, 1494, that established that the Jews who wanted to work as grocers should have their own shop, pay the appropriate fees and observe the Arte's statutes (fols. 15v-16v);
July 13, 1712: meeting of the members of the Arte dei Sellari (Saddle-makers Guild) during which they determined that both enrolled and non-enrolled members could not make saddles to Jews, attend their homes, and work in the ghetto, under the penalty of ten “scudi” (currency) and the banishment from the guild (fols. 39v-41r);
April 8, 1742: edict issued by Cardinal Ranieri d'Elci, “legato a latere”, giving dispositions concerning the Arte dei Merciari and determining that both Christians and Jews should close their shops on the day of San Romano, the patron saint of the Arte, under penalty of ten “scudi” (currency) (fol. 1r).
Fondo Statuti 10: documentation related to the Arte degli Strazzaroli (Rag-dealers Guild), including rich information on the place taken by the Jews in this guild, for instance:
May 12, 1535: sentence regarding the controversy that arose between the “massari” and members of the Arte degli Strazzaroli, and the Jewish “strazzaroli” (fol. 77v).
July 7, 1535: decision of the Giudice dei savi (Judge of the wise men), who established that Jewish “strazzaroli” (rag-dealers) could be accepted in the Arte della Strazzaria of Ferrara (fols. 60r-v);
April 14, 1556 - April 20, 1564: list of Jewish “strazzaroli” enrolled in the Arte della Strazzaria of Ferrara (fols. 61v-62r); other similar lists for December 12, 1565 - June 18, 1577 (18 names, fols. 67v-68v) and 1564-1583 (fols. 68v-69r).
February 6, 1560: Duke Alfonso II d’Este confirms to the Arte degli Strazzaroli the decree that established that no member, whether Christian or Jew, could keep the shops open during the days of public festivities, namely Christmas, Easter and Saturdays, in the case of Jews (fol. 8v);
March 11, 1697: decree issued by Bartolomeo Bellani, judge of the "savi", allowing the Jews of the Arte degli Strazzaroli to go to the city on market day to exhibit and sell their goods (fols. 113r-v).
Fondo Statuti 26: February 8, 1577: sentence given by Ippolito Riminaldi, lieutenant of the judge of the “savi”, in favour of the Arte dei Fabbri (Blacksmiths Guild) against the Arte degli Strazzaroli, forbidding the members of the Arte degli Strazzaroli to trade iron objects, except those bought from the Sacro Monte di Pietà or Jewish bankers (fols. 31v-32r). Another copy in Fondo Statuti 39, fols. 33r-v.
Fondo Statuti 36: March 11, 1608: Battista Muzzarelli, the judge of the “savi” confirmed the statutes of the Arte dei Bastaroli (Flour-manufacturers Guild), whose chapter VI established that the Jews who traded or brokered forage and wheat without the permission of the Arte were condemned to pay 40 "lire marchesane” (currency) to the “massaria” of the municipality and the Arte (fols. 20v-21v).
Fondo Statuti 6: May 25, 1616: Cardinal Giacomo Serra granted the chapters and statutes for the Arte di Lana (Wool Guild). Chapter XIV is entitled “Intorno aglj ebrei” (about the Jews) (fols. 69v-73v).
Fondo Statuti 23: June 28, 1644: Count Girolamo Rossetti, the "giudice dei savi", together with the "massari dei savi", approved the determination made by the members of the Arte dei Magnani (Locksmiths Guild) to have permission to obtain coal from whomever they wanted, in case the guild did not have enough supply to satisfy the goldsmiths' needs, either Jews or others (fols. 49r-v).
Fondo Statuti 33: documents related to the Arte dei Drappieri (Fabric-sellers Guild), including the following on Jewish sellers:
April 22, 1653: dispositions for the Arte dei Drappieri, including one ordering that every Jewish seller should pay two "lire" and ten "solid" (currency) to the guild to be allowed to sell their goods;
September, 2-10, 1760: decision of the judge and consultor Giuseppe Bonaglia in a question involving poor “cestaroli” (basket-makers) and Jewish merchants on the one hand, and the Arte dei Drappieri on the other (fols. 35r-36v).
Fondo Statuti 14: January 8, 1684: meeting of the Arte degli Orefici (Goldsmith Guild) of Ferrara for the election of a new “massaro” and the two “savi”, during which it was introduced a new chapter that excluded the Jews from the guild (fols. 21r-25r).
Fondo Statuti 21: documents concerning the Arte dei Bastaroli e Crivellini (Flour-manufacturers Guild), including some related to Jews, as the following:
January 2, 1708: meeting of the Arte dei Bastaroli e Crivellini members, in which the “massari” were forbidden to accept Jews as registered members, but only as simple “obbedienti” with the obligation of paying the same annual amount paid by Christian “obbedienti” (fols. 25r-28r);
July 16, 1744: meeting of the enrolled members of the Arte dei Bastaroli, Crivellini e Sensali, in wich it was decided to impose a tax of 25 "scudi" (currency) on all enrollments. The Jews who practiced these arts and crafts, to whom the aforementioned tax was initially applied, came to an arrangement that established the payment of 20 "baiocchi" (currency) per year for those who subsequently enrolled (fols. 38v-45r).
Fondo Statuti 27: December 15, 1750: Cardinal Camillo Paulucci confirmed and approved the chapters of the Arte dei Fruttaroli, Casaroli e Confortinari (Fruit and Chees sellers, and Bakers Guild) of Ferrara, whose chapter XXIII forbade the entry of Jews as enrolled members. Jews would be accepted only as “obbedienti” (fol. 20r).
Fondo Statuti 41: documents related to the Arte dei Merciari (Grocers Guild), including the following:
December 1, 1494: sentence pronounced by Filippo Cestarelli, the judge of the “savi”, on a supplication submitted by Siviero Calzetta, “massaro” of the Arte dei Merzari, complaining of Jews who did not respect the ducal rescript of September 29, 1494, that established that the Jews who wanted to work as grocers should have their own shop, pay the appropriate fees and observe the Arte's statutes (fols. 15v-16v);
July 13, 1712: meeting of the members of the Arte dei Sellari (Saddle-makers Guild) during which they determined that both enrolled and non-enrolled members could not make saddles to Jews, attend their homes, and work in the ghetto, under the penalty of ten “scudi” (currency) and the banishment from the guild (fols. 39v-41r);
April 8, 1742: edict issued by Cardinal Ranieri d'Elci, “legato a latere”, giving dispositions concerning the Arte dei Merciari and determining that both Christians and Jews should close their shops on the day of San Romano, the patron saint of the Arte, under penalty of ten “scudi” (currency) (fol. 1r).
Fondo Statuti 10: documentation related to the Arte degli Strazzaroli (Rag-dealers Guild), including rich information on the place taken by the Jews in this guild, for instance:
May 12, 1535: sentence regarding the controversy that arose between the “massari” and members of the Arte degli Strazzaroli, and the Jewish “strazzaroli” (fol. 77v).
July 7, 1535: decision of the Giudice dei savi (Judge of the wise men), who established that Jewish “strazzaroli” (rag-dealers) could be accepted in the Arte della Strazzaria of Ferrara (fols. 60r-v);
April 14, 1556 - April 20, 1564: list of Jewish “strazzaroli” enrolled in the Arte della Strazzaria of Ferrara (fols. 61v-62r); other similar lists for December 12, 1565 - June 18, 1577 (18 names, fols. 67v-68v) and 1564-1583 (fols. 68v-69r).
February 6, 1560: Duke Alfonso II d’Este confirms to the Arte degli Strazzaroli the decree that established that no member, whether Christian or Jew, could keep the shops open during the days of public festivities, namely Christmas, Easter and Saturdays, in the case of Jews (fol. 8v);
March 11, 1697: decree issued by Bartolomeo Bellani, judge of the "savi", allowing the Jews of the Arte degli Strazzaroli to go to the city on market day to exhibit and sell their goods (fols. 113r-v).
Fondo Statuti 26: February 8, 1577: sentence given by Ippolito Riminaldi, lieutenant of the judge of the “savi”, in favour of the Arte dei Fabbri (Blacksmiths Guild) against the Arte degli Strazzaroli, forbidding the members of the Arte degli Strazzaroli to trade iron objects, except those bought from the Sacro Monte di Pietà or Jewish bankers (fols. 31v-32r). Another copy in Fondo Statuti 39, fols. 33r-v.
Fondo Statuti 36: March 11, 1608: Battista Muzzarelli, the judge of the “savi” confirmed the statutes of the Arte dei Bastaroli (Flour-manufacturers Guild), whose chapter VI established that the Jews who traded or brokered forage and wheat without the permission of the Arte were condemned to pay 40 "lire marchesane” (currency) to the “massaria” of the municipality and the Arte (fols. 20v-21v).
Fondo Statuti 6: May 25, 1616: Cardinal Giacomo Serra granted the chapters and statutes for the Arte di Lana (Wool Guild). Chapter XIV is entitled “Intorno aglj ebrei” (about the Jews) (fols. 69v-73v).
Fondo Statuti 23: June 28, 1644: Count Girolamo Rossetti, the "giudice dei savi", together with the "massari dei savi", approved the determination made by the members of the Arte dei Magnani (Locksmiths Guild) to have permission to obtain coal from whomever they wanted, in case the guild did not have enough supply to satisfy the goldsmiths' needs, either Jews or others (fols. 49r-v).
Fondo Statuti 33: documents related to the Arte dei Drappieri (Fabric-sellers Guild), including the following on Jewish sellers:
April 22, 1653: dispositions for the Arte dei Drappieri, including one ordering that every Jewish seller should pay two "lire" and ten "solid" (currency) to the guild to be allowed to sell their goods;
September, 2-10, 1760: decision of the judge and consultor Giuseppe Bonaglia in a question involving poor “cestaroli” (basket-makers) and Jewish merchants on the one hand, and the Arte dei Drappieri on the other (fols. 35r-36v).
Fondo Statuti 14: January 8, 1684: meeting of the Arte degli Orefici (Goldsmith Guild) of Ferrara for the election of a new “massaro” and the two “savi”, during which it was introduced a new chapter that excluded the Jews from the guild (fols. 21r-25r).
Fondo Statuti 21: documents concerning the Arte dei Bastaroli e Crivellini (Flour-manufacturers Guild), including some related to Jews, as the following:
January 2, 1708: meeting of the Arte dei Bastaroli e Crivellini members, in which the “massari” were forbidden to accept Jews as registered members, but only as simple “obbedienti” with the obligation of paying the same annual amount paid by Christian “obbedienti” (fols. 25r-28r);
July 16, 1744: meeting of the enrolled members of the Arte dei Bastaroli, Crivellini e Sensali, in wich it was decided to impose a tax of 25 "scudi" (currency) on all enrollments. The Jews who practiced these arts and crafts, to whom the aforementioned tax was initially applied, came to an arrangement that established the payment of 20 "baiocchi" (currency) per year for those who subsequently enrolled (fols. 38v-45r).
Fondo Statuti 27: December 15, 1750: Cardinal Camillo Paulucci confirmed and approved the chapters of the Arte dei Fruttaroli, Casaroli e Confortinari (Fruit and Chees sellers, and Bakers Guild) of Ferrara, whose chapter XXIII forbade the entry of Jews as enrolled members. Jews would be accepted only as “obbedienti” (fol. 20r).
Archival history
The Fondo Statuti is a documentary collection of 48 manuscripts produced and related to the guilds of arts and crafts of the city of Ferrara. The first written testimonies of their union and organisation date back to 1391. They were initially recognised by the marquises of Este and later reconfirmed by the cardinal legates in 1598. On September 26, 1797, during the Napoleonic occupation, the Arti were suppressed. The units that compose this fonds came in part from the Municipal Historical Archives of Ferrara, whose transfer was arranged in 1872 by Luigi Napoleone Cittadella, at the time prefect of the Archives and the Civic Library. Other documents gathered in the Fondo Statuti came from the Archbishop's Curia, while some others were already part of the Biblioteca Ariostea collection.
Administrative / Biographical history
The Biblioteca Ariostea is located in the Palazzo Paradiso, a private palace built in 1391 belonging to the Este family. In the 18th century, the Palazzo was equipped with an Anatomical Theater, a Botanic Garden, and a Library Room, founded in the early 1750s. The library was refurbished in 1801. In the same year, the Palazzo Paradiso housed the ashes of Ludovico Ariosto, who ended up giving his name to the library. The Biblioteca Ariostea also preserves a rich collection of manuscripts related to Ariosto and other local writers, such as Torquato Tasso, Vincenzo Monti or Corrado Govoni.
In 1963, the University of Ferrara was moved to the Palazzo Paradiso, while the Ariostea remained located there. In 2006, the Palazzo and the Biblioteca reopened after a long restoration. Today, the library comprises a precious bibliographic patrimony of about 400,000 units.
In 1963, the University of Ferrara was moved to the Palazzo Paradiso, while the Ariostea remained located there. In 2006, the Palazzo and the Biblioteca reopened after a long restoration. Today, the library comprises a precious bibliographic patrimony of about 400,000 units.
Access points: locations
Access points: subject terms
Access points: document types
Links to finding aids
Author of the description
Andrea Cicerchia, 2021
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