A remarkable 1683 doctorate certificate, crafted on an ornate parchment and belonging to Jacobus Fabris, who studied law at the University of Venice, has been donated to Bar-Ilan University’s collection. This rare artifact stands out due to its artistic calligraphy in both regular and gold ink, as well as a portrait of the young doctor. The delicate decorations and the meticulous investment in both the certificate and its binding are exceptionally impressive.
The document will be preserved alongside other books and manuscripts in a vault with constant humidity and temperature control, ensuring protection from pests, insects, and damage due to moisture and heat. 2 View gallery The certificate ( Photo: Bar Ilan University ) "This item was in my father's house, who passed away this year. It is a doctorate certificate from the University of Venice, one of the oldest universities in the world.
My father inherited it from his grandfather, who owned an antique shop near St. Mark's Square, the iconic landmark of Venice," says Professor Emanuel Dalla Torre, a quantum computing researcher at Bar-Ilan University. Born in Milan (from where he immigrated to Israel after finishing high school), he donated the certificate to Bar-Ilan University's museum collection.
Professor Dalla Torre's grandfather also received a doctorate from the University of Venice (and later served as a professor, doctor, and researcher in the city), making this ancient find particularly valuable to him. The certi.