Clean-shaven in Amsterdam, 1737

A Description of a Synagogue would not I believe be material to you, therefore I shall only acquaint you that here [Amsterdam] are two, one for the Portuguese Jews, which is very fine, and other for the German Jews. They are both Jews alike, but differ in their Taste and Sentiments. The Portuguese Jews are the Handsomest of the two, for they shave their Beards, and some of them are very genteel. I was show’d one the other Day, who was a smart young Fellow, and might have cut a Figure among the Petits-Maitres. I was told, that he had been educated in our Religion, and that he seemed to be fond of it; but being at Paris, in the Retinue of M. ***, Ambassador of ***, he ran away from that Minister’s Service, and came to Amsterdam, where he turned as staunch a Jew as if he had never heard the Name of Jesus Christ.

Karl Ludwig Pöllnitz (pictured). The memoirs of Charles-Lewis, baron de Pollnitz. 1737. Page 388.

Spanish Jews in Italy were clean-shaven, 1714

"As the King of Spain has driven the Jews out of all his Dominions; those that live in full Liberty here [Alessandria in Piedmont, northern Italy], are certainly one of the most notable Things of this Place. Interest is the great Mover of the World, and as Alexandria is a Place that was never well inhabited, a new and abortive Town; they have granted to the Jews Liberty in it, to people it is a little more, and to drive there some small Trade at least. The street where they dwell, is that which makes the best Figure. The Men never let their Beards grow. According to the strictness of the Terms agreed with ‘em, they are forced to distinguish themselves by grey Hats, but the Magistrates are not severe in that Point. The married Women wear very Grotesque Head-dresses, and the Maids or Virgins, wear nothing but their own Hair; that’s their Distinction."

Maximilien Misson . A new voyage to Italy. 1714. Vol II, Page 380