The Sassoons

The Sassoon family, prosperous bankers and treasurers to the Ottoman sultans in Baghdad, were driven out by religious persecution and economic pressures. They dispersed and established businesses in Mumbai, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and London, collecting splendid works of art from various cultures. This book, published in association with the Jewish Museum, New York, features a family tree and explores generations of Sassoons for whom art was a pleasure.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 11 April 2023
Publisher: Yale University Press

The Sassoon family, a remarkable group of entrepreneurs and art and architecture enthusiasts, has a global history that spans from Baghdad to Mumbai, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and London. Their journey began in nineteenth-century Baghdad, where they were successful bankers and treasurers to the Ottoman sultans. However, their fortunes took a turn when they faced religious persecution and economic pressures, leading to their displacement. As stateless Jews, the family scattered, establishing businesses in Mumbai, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and London. With their immense wealth, they were able to gather a splendid collection of art from the diverse cultures that welcomed them.

This captivating volume, lavishly illustrated with paintings, porcelain, manuscripts, Judaica, and architecture, tells the sweeping global story of the Sassoon family through the works of art they collected. It highlights family members who were patrons of art and sponsors of remarkable buildings, particularly emphasizing the role of the family's accomplished women. Rachel Sassoon, for instance, served as the editor of both the Times and the Observer newspapers in London at the turn of the twentieth century. A cousin of hers was the renowned war poet Siegfried Sassoon. Victor Sassoon, on the other hand, hosted the glitterati of the 1920s and 1930s at his Cathay Hotel in Shanghai, making it a hub of cultural activity.

This fascinating and elegant book, featuring gilt edges and a ribbon bookmark, offers a comprehensive exploration of the Sassoon family over several generations. It traces their journey from their humble beginnings in Baghdad to their rise to prominence in the world of art and architecture. The family's passion for art was not just a mark of their arrival in the rarefied world of the upper class but a genuine pleasure in itself.

Published in association with the Jewish Museum, New York, this exhibition schedule showcases the Sassoon family's remarkable collection at the Jewish Museum from March 3 to August 13, 2023. The exhibition offers a glimpse into the family's rich heritage and the profound impact they had on the world of art and culture.

In conclusion, the Sassoon family's global history is a testament to their resilience, entrepreneurship, and passion for art. Their journey from Baghdad to Mumbai, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and London showcases their ability to adapt and thrive in diverse environments. Through their collection of remarkable works of art, they have left a lasting legacy that continues to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide.

Dimension: 273 x 229 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300264302