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© Dagmara Budzioch, Photographer: Budzioch, Dagmara, 05.03.2015

The text of the Book of Esther starts with an enlarged and bolded word ויהי - "it happened" - that additionally is decorated with dots and serifs. Text columns are inscribed in rectangular frames that originally most likely were painted gold but currently, they are green.

Name/Title
MAHJ Coat of Arms Esther Scroll | Unknown
Object Detail
col. 1
Settings
Unknown
Date
18th century
Active dates
Reconstruction dates
Artist/ Maker
Unknown (Unknown)
Origin
Italy | Lazio | Rome
| (?)
Historical Origin
Unknown
Community type
Unknown |
Congregation
Unknown
Site
Unknown
School/Style
Unknown|
Period
Unknown
Period Detail
Documentation / Research project
Unknown
Material / Technique
Ink and paints on parchment (manuscript) + silver (case and pull bar)
Material Stucture
Material Decoration
Material Bonding
Material Inscription
Material Additions
Material Cloth
Material Lining
Tesserae Arrangement
Density
Colors
Construction material
Measurements
An average text panel on the first membrane is ca. 60x75 mm; however, not all of them are identical.
The first membrane is at least 760 mm long.
The opening decoration covers the square of ca. 85x85 mm.
Height
90 mm
Length
Width
Depth
Circumference
Thickness
Diameter
Weight
Axis
Panel Measurements
Subject
Unknown |
Condition
In general, the first membrane of the scroll is preserved in a very good condition, even if in some places the text and green parts (garlands) of the opening decoration are slightly faded. The case is also preserved in very good condition and the scroll can still be rolled and unrolled.
Extant
Documented by CJA
Surveyed by CJA
Present Usage
Present Usage Details
Condition of Building Fabric
Architectural Significance type
Historical significance: Event/Period
Historical significance: Collective Memory/Folklore
Historical significance: Person
Architectural Significance: Style
Architectural Significance: Artistic Decoration
Urban significance
Significance Rating
Textual Content
Unknown |
Languages of inscription
Unknown
Shape / Form
Unknown
0
Ornamentation
Custom
Contents
The Book of Esther in Hebrew preceded by initial benedictions
Codicology

The number of membranes and text panels is unknown (during the research, the scroll remained rolled in the case, therefore, only its opening part could be studied; the details are also omitted in the description available on the Museum's website).

In the first panel, all three initial benedictions are inscribed. The opening word of the first blessing (ברוך - "blessed") is larger than any other letter in this section. The letters in this word are 8 mm high; they are bolded, their vertical components are decorated with dots and serifs. Originally they were painted gold but currently, they are green.

The Tetragrammaton is inscribed as two letters י combined with a flag of ל and a leg of א; two short lines are added above them.

The first 9 regular text panels contain 13 lines of the text that is written in the Hebrew Italian square script in black ink that in some places is faded. Tagim were added only to several letters (ש, ש, ח, י, י, ב) in the first line of the scrolls.

An average letter is 3 mm high, whereas the letters in the opening word of the Megillah (ויהי - "it happened") is 5 mm high; it is bolded and decorated with dots and serifs.

The letter ח in Es. 1:6 is not highlighted in any way.

Scribes
Script
Number of Lines
Ruling
Pricking
Quires
Catchwords
Hebrew Numeration
Blank Leaves
Direction/Location
Façade (main)
Endivances
Location of Torah Ark
Location of Apse
Location of Niche
Location of Reader's Desk
Location of Platform
Temp: Architecture Axis
Arrangement of Seats
Location of Women's Section
Direction Prayer
Direction Toward Jerusalem
Coin
Coin Series
Coin Ruler
Coin Year
Denomination
Signature
Colophon
Possibly none
Scribal Notes
Watermark
Hallmark
Group
Group
Group
Group
Group
Trade Mark
Binding

The scroll is stored in a silver case and a silver pull bar is stitched to the right edge of the first membrane.

Decoration Program
Summary and Remarks

During the research conducted in 2015, only a part of the first membrane was examined, therefore the total length of the manuscript remains unknown and the details such as the presence of final decoration, the fourth benediction, liturgical poems, and colophon or scribal note could not be verified.

On the green frames enclosing the text columns, a very thin layer of gold paint is visible.

The scroll is displayed on the permanent exhibition of the Museum.

For another scroll containing a family emblem see ID 58 in the Index.

Remarks
Suggested Reconsdivuction
History/Provenance
The scroll was donated by Inna Nahmias in memory of her husband, Élie Nahmias. Until 1964 in Michael M. Zagayski's collection. Sold on Parke-Bernet Galleries auction of Jewish religious art in New York on March 18-19, 1964 (lot 60 - see "Bibliography"). Parallel to the pull bar, there is no. 520 written in ink. Additionally, "R7434 (Rome 18e s)" on the scroll is visible.
Main Surveys & Excavations
Bibliography

The Michael M. Zagayski Collection of Rare Judaica [Public Auction Wednesday and Thursday, March 18 and 19], 1964, Parke-Bernet Galleries New York, object no. 60.

Elvio Giuditta, Araldica Ebraica in Italia, n.p. n.d., esp. pp. 17, 91, 21, 97.

Rouleau d'Esther et son étui, Italie, Rome, 18e siècle available on https://www.mahj.org/en/decouvrir-collections-betsalel/rouleau-d-esther-et-son-etui-60395 (accessed on 16.04.2020)

Short Name
Full Name
Volume
Page
Type
Documenter
Dagmara Budzioch | 2020
Author of description
Dagmara Budzioch | 2020
Architectural Drawings
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Computer Reconstruction
|
Section Head
|
Language Editor
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Donor
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Negative/Photo. No.
M001327