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© Jewish Museum in London (JML), Photographer: N/A, -

This is one of three known examples of illustrated Esther scrolls with the cut-out decoration in parchment. The Hebrew text of the Book o Esther is inscribed within the arches and the panels are separated by entwined columns. Both margins of all membranes are precisely filled with designs. They are adorned with biblical episodes from the Book of Esther and Genesis (three angels visiting Abraham, the sacrifice of Isaac, and Jacob's dream – this appears twice in the scroll), and midrashic tales. The decorations include unidentified figurative scenes such as a hunting scene, a man riding a donkey, and two men holding a wheel or a wreath, a king (Ahasuerus?) sitting on the throne, a woman and a man (?) playing the mandolins, a house and a man standing next to it (Haman's house?), and a city (?). Additionally, the margins are crowded with numerous animals (lions, birds with long tails - phoenixes?, turtles, squirrels, chameleons (?), snail, frogs (?), dragonflies), fantastic creatures (griffins with a snake and dragons), and cityscapes. Between the illustrations, flowers are placed, and in two places, musical instruments appear too.

The scroll is mounted on a silk backing that is framed with a ribbon.

Name/Title
JML Illustrated Esther Scroll with Cut-Out Border | Unknown
Object Detail
Settings
Unknown
Date
late 17th century (?)
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 + silk with a ribbon
Material Stucture
Material Decoration
Material Bonding
Material Inscription
Material Additions
Material Cloth
Material Lining
Tesserae Arrangement
Density
Colors
Construction material
Measurements
The scroll: ca. 120 x ca. 2300 mm.
Height
Length
Width
Depth
Circumference
Thickness
Diameter
Weight
Axis
Panel Measurements
Condition

Taking into account, the fragile nature of the object, it is quite well preserved, even if it lacks its opening decoration and initial benedictions.

It is stored in a frame with glass.

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 with a final benediction and shortened version of "Arur Haman"

Codicology

The scroll is formed of 4 sheets containing 23 columns of the text (+ additional column for a benediction) with 18 or 19 lines except for col. 19 with 11 lines and col. 23 with 12 lines (some of them are very short).

The number of the text columns per sheet: no. 1 - 6, no. 2 - 7, no. 3 - 8, no. 4 - 2 + additional column.

The text is inscribed in the Hebrew square Ashkenazi script with tagin, in light brown ink, on parchment membranes that are bright.

The letter ח (Es. 1:6) is slightly larger than an average letter in the scroll; it is formed of two parts joined with a roof. The letter ת (Es. 9:29) is enlarged. Other enlarged and diminished letters are included in col. 13.

In col. 18 some lines are shorter, so the next column could include solely the Haman's sons section.

The length of the lines in the column varies; they fit the shape of panels.

The ruling and pricking are invisible.

The membranes in the scroll are stitched together.

Benedictions

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
Remarks
Suggested Reconsdivuction
History/Provenance
Main Surveys & Excavations
Bibliography

The scroll is mentioned in:

Treasures of Jewish Heritage. The Jewish Museum London, eds. Rickie Burman, Jennifer Marin, and Lily Steadman (London 2006), 62-63.

Two other scrolls sharing the same pattern are mentioned in:

Art and Tradition. Treasures of Jewish Life from the Reuben and Helene Dennis Museum, Beth Tzedec Synagogue, ed. Dorion Liebgott, Toronto 2000, 70-71.

Judith C.E. Belinfante, Joods Historisch Museum / Jewish Historical Museum, Nederlandse Musea III, Haarlem 1978, 47.

Short Name
Full Name
Volume
Page
Type
Documenter
Dagmara Budzioch | 2021
Author of description
Dagmara Budzioch | 2021
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.
M002726