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Img. ID: 332886

© Gross Family Collection, Photographer: Bar Hama, Ardon, -

Sheet no. 3

The sixth text panel is surrounded by seven depictions. Four depictions on the right are common with the fifth text panel.

1. The depiction joins two scenes: Mordecai's triumph (Es. 6:11) and Haman's daughter who empties a chamber pot on her father's head (based on Megillah 16a).

2. The Jews rejoice after the victory over their enemies (Es. 8:16-17) - represented by four people in clown costumes, perhaps court jesters.

3. Esther before the king, possibly at the moment when he gives her Haman's property (Es. 8:1). Esther is attended by a maid, and the king's mantle tail is carried by a page.

4. Esther before the king possibly at the moment when he gives her Haman's property (Es. 8:1). Esther is attended by a maid, and the king's mantle tail is carried by a page.

5. A rider on horseback (Haman?) - it is difficult to determine which particular verse of the Book of Esther this represents.

6. Two messengers holding sticks in their hands delivering the king's decree allowing the Jews to defend themselves (Es. 8:14).

7. Three musicians playing stringed instruments - it is difficult to determine which particular verse of the Book of Esther this represents but it can show the joy of the Jews after a new decree (Es. 8:16-17).

Illustrations nos. 5-7 are party painted on the fourth membrane.

Name/Title
GFC Esther Scroll with Octagonal Text Panels | Unknown
Object Detail
text panel 6
Settings
Unknown
Date
First quarter of the 18th century
Synagogue active dates
Reconstruction dates
Artist/ Maker
Unknown (Unknown)
Origin
France | Alsace
| (?)
Historical Origin
Unknown
Community type
Unknown |
Congregation
Unknown
Location
Unknown |
Site
Unknown
School/Style
Unknown|
Period
Unknown
Period Detail
Collection
Documentation / Research project
Unknown
Material / Technique
Ink and paints on parchment
Material Stucture
Material Decoration
Material Bonding
Material Inscription
Material Additions
Material Cloth
Material Lining
Tesserae Arrangement
Density
Colors
Construction material
Measurements
The scroll: 370x2370 mm.
Height
Length
Width
Depth
Circumference
Thickness
Diameter
Weight
Axis
Panel Measurements
Condition

The opening section of the scroll is damaged and the membrane is crumpled here.

Some parts of the decorations are faded but still, the general condition of the manuscript is good.

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 4 sheets, in total containing 8 columns of text with 41 or 42 lines each, except for col. 7 which has 11 lines divided into two half-columns.

Every membrane contains two columns of text; 7 of them are framed in octagons of various sizes and one is not framed.

The text is written in Hebrew square Ashkenazi script with tagin in brown ink on parchment membranes.

The letters ח (Es. 1:6) and ת (Es. 9:29) and the letters of the name of God are enlarged and bolded. Other enlarged and diminished letters are included in col. 7.

There are some corrections and erasures in the text.

The ruling is made with a hard point, along with the sheets, but only be seen only in the decorations between the panels.

The pricking on the membranes' edges can be seen.

The membranes of the scroll are glued together.

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

In the depiction of the feast by the king and the queen, the name "Esther" in pencil is written.

It seems the frames of the panels were originally painted with gold paint.

Remarks
Suggested Reconsdivuction
History/Provenance
Main Surveys & Excavations
Bibliography

No comprehensive discussion on the scroll is available but the fragments are reproduced in numerous publications, e.g.:

Marc Michael Epstein, Skies of Parchment, Seas of Ink: Jewish Illuminated Manuscripts, Princeton, New Jersey 2015, pp. 15, 191, 219.

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
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Negative/Photo. No.
M002247