Obj. ID: 62
Hebrew Illuminated Manuscripts JHI Birds Esther Scroll, Austria (?), 18th century
The text panels are framed by decorated borders on the upper and lower margins filled with floral decoration and birds such as parrots, goldfinches, and a stork or a heron. Probably an armorial device of Austria of a double-headed eagle with a shield on its chest is set above the first text illustration. The tendrils along the top border are interrupted by two episodes from the Book of Esther (above cols. 5 and 7). The text panels are flanked by 11 text illustrations set within oval panels. Additionally, the section listing the names of Haman's sons (col. 10) is decorated with a hanging scene in a panel set within the text column; it is followed by a figure of lamenting Zeresh (Haman's wife). The scroll ends with a depiction of a man in a sophisticated attire and stylized acanthus leaves. All illustrations and decorations are executed in ink and painted with colorful tempera.
17 image(s)
sub-set tree:
| C-325 (formerly C-254/2)
| C-325 (formerly C-254/2)
The scroll consists of 4 membranes with 11 columns and 26-27 lines per column, except for the col. 10 with the names of Haman's ten sons which are written in 11 lines, in a larger script. The first membrane contains 2 columns, and each of 3 other membranes contains 3 columns of the text.
The text column is (209-222) x (107-185) mm and the col. 10 with the names of Haman's sons is 221 x 121 mm.
The text is inscribed on the flesh side in square Ashkenazi stam script, in dark and light brown ink. The ruling is made by a stylus and contains 26-29 horizontal lines ruled across the width of the membranes, and 1+1 vertical lines for each column.
Pricking is discernible on the top and bottom margins and on the opening edge of the scroll.
The membranes are glued and reinforced with leather patches on the glued edges. A piece of parchment was sewn to the fourth sheet (that is the last sheet in the scroll) to complete the illustration.
The edges on both ends of the scroll are cut straight.
Online collection of the ritual objects from the E. Ringelblum Jewish Historical Institute is available on http://cbj.jhi.pl/collections/964689
It seems that until ca. 1932, the scroll belonged to the collection of Sally Kirschstein in Berlin.
Marian Fuks, Zygmunt Hoffman, Maurycy Horn, Żydzi polscy. Dzieje i kultura, Warszawa 1982, 102 (a fragment of the scroll is reproduced).
Iwona Brzewska, Magdalena Sieramska, Katalog, rzemiosło artystyczne, [in:] Muzeum Żydowskiego Instytutu Historycznego. Zbiory artystyczne, Auriga Wydawnictwa Artystyczne i Filmowe Warszawa 1995, 34, figs. 58, 59.
Die Judaica-Sammlung S. Kirschstein Berlin. Kultgeräte für Haus und Synagoge, Manuskripte, Gemälde, Miniaturen, Graphik, Urkunden, Bücher. Versteigerung in der Galerie Hugo Helbing München (...) [12–14 Juli 1932]. Ausstellung in der Galerie Hugo Helbing München (...) [8–11 Juli 1932], München 1932, p. 11, object no. 188.
Mendel Metzger, Die Illustration einiger Midraschim zum Buche Esther in der Jüdischen Kunst, „Das neue Israel”, 566–567.
Juedisches Lexikon, Berlin 1980, B. IV/I, color plate by the title page.
Dagmara Budzioch, Dekorowane zwoje Estery z Żydowskiego Instytutu Historycznego w Warszawie na tle tradycji dekorowania megillot Ester w XVII i XVIII wieku. Zarys problematyki, Warszawa 2019, 1:248-272, 2:17-26.
Jewish Historical Institute Museum card no. C-254/2.