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Img. ID: 328263

© Dagmara Budzioch, Photographer: Budzioch, Dagmara, 3.2015

The upper margins of the scroll adorn two types of decorations. The central part of every sheet is decorated with a composition with two angels seated on either side of a low structure (a tomb?) decorated with a wreath and two urns.

Name/Title
MAHJ Engraved Scroll after Shalom Italia | Unknown
Object Detail
upper margin decoration (detail)
Settings
Unknown
Date
second half of the 17th century
Synagogue active dates
Reconstruction dates
Artist/ Maker
Unknown (Unknown)
Origin
Historical Origin
Unknown
Community type
Unknown |
Congregation
Unknown
Location
Unknown |
Site
Unknown
School/Style
Unknown|
Period
Unknown
Period Detail
Documentation / Research project
Unknown
Material / Technique
Ink on parchment (printed decoration, handwritten text) + wood
Material Stucture
Material Decoration
Material Bonding
Material Inscription
Material Additions
Material Cloth
Material Lining
Tesserae Arrangement
Density
Colors
Construction material
Measurements
The scroll: 260 x ca. 4440 mm.
The length of the sheets in the scroll: 1) ca. 180 mm, 2) ca. 330 mm, 3) ca. 600 mm, 4) ca. 595 mm, 5) ca. 600 mm, 6) ca. 590 mm, 7) ca. 700 mm, 8) ca. 575 mm, 9) ca. 370 mm.
Dimensions of the selected details in the scroll:
- opening decoration: ca. 155x135 mm;
- decoration with an allegory of Peace: ca. 70x170 mm;
- decoration with two angels: ca. 60x130 mm;
- figures in the niches: ca. 55 mm (height);
- illustrations: 13x22 mm (without frames);
- text panel: 130x90 mm;
- the print: ca. 230 mm (height);
- an average letter: 3 mm (height);
- enlarged letters: ca. 5 mm (height).

The roller: ca. 485 mm.
Height
Length
Width
Depth
Circumference
Thickness
Diameter
Weight
Axis
Panel Measurements
Condition
In general, the manuscript (parchment, the text, and prints) is preserved in good condition, although some of its fragments are not equally well preserved. The lower part of the second membrane is reinforced with tape. In some places, but especially in the text panels, the sheets are folded.
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

Codicology

The scroll is formed of 9 sheets containing 22 columns of the text with 19 lines, except for col. 19 with 11 lines divided into two parts.

The text is inscribed in the Hebrew square Sephardi script with tagin, in black ink, on the flesh side of parchment membranes that are thick, stiff, rough, and rather grey. Both sides of the membranes are similar. 

The letters ח (Es. 1:6) and ת (Es. 9:29) are highlighted by their size. Other enlarged and diminished letters are included in col. 19.

The letters ז and ע in the final word of the Megillah are decorated.

The length of the lines of the text fits the text panels.

The ruling is invisible.

The membranes are stitched but in an unusual way for megillot. The first and second sheets were glued and then sewn together, whereas in all other cases, a sheet was placed on the subsequent sheet (they are placed flat on each other and not bent as usually) and they were sewn together with double stitching.

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

None

Scribal Notes
Watermark
Hallmark
Group
Group
Group
Group
Group
Trade Mark
Binding
Decoration Program
Summary and Remarks

The style of decoration in the scroll and its layout resembles some engraved scrolls embellished with the borders created by Shalom Italia but it seems unlikely that this decorative scheme was designed by him. Based on the similarity with Italia's scrolls, it is dated to the mid of the 17th century.

At the edges of the first and second membranes, numerous seam marks are visible. This suggests that originally a belt of fabric was placed underneath the opening section of the scroll as it was practiced among the Amsterdam Jewish communities.

In the upper margins of the sheets, on their right and left edges, some printed details - such as parts of angels' feet - are visible.

To the last membrane, a short piece of parchment is sewn that joins the scroll with the roller.

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

For the scroll sharing the same pattern in the Index see ID 27890.

Remarks
Suggested Reconsdivuction
History/Provenance
The scroll was donated by Inna Nahmias in memory of her husband, Élie Nahmias.
Main Surveys & Excavations
Bibliography

A short description in French and English together with images of the scroll are available on https://www.mahj.org/en/discover-collections-key-works/esther-scroll-megillat-ester (accessed on 25.08.2020).

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
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Section Head
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Language Editor
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Donor
|
Negative/Photo. No.
M001520