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Img. ID: 346202

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

Sheet no. 2

The nineteenth and the twentieth columns of text are separated by straight and slim columns. The lower margins are decorated with two narrative scenes; both are difficult to interpret. The first of them shows two men carrying a kind of table with a vase (?) on it and three other figures holding plates (?); it can be assumed that it depicts the preparation for Esther's banquet (Es. 5:5-8). The second illustration shows five men dancing in a circle.

Benediction sheet

The manuscript is accompanied by a benediction sheet on which panels are separated by columns similar to these in the scroll. In the image, the first three panels (there are six panels in total) are visible. In every one of them, a large and decorative initial word ברוך is placed. The lower margins are not decorated.

Name/Title
JML Judgment of Solomon Esther Scroll | Unknown
Object Detail
cols. 19 and 20 and a part of the benediction sheet
Settings
Unknown
Date
18th 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 + wood
Material Stucture
Material Decoration
Material Bonding
Material Inscription
Material Additions
Material Cloth
Material Lining
Tesserae Arrangement
Density
Colors
Construction material
Measurements
The scroll: 80 x ca. 2335 mm.
Length of the sheets in the scroll: 1) 720 mm, 2) ca. 690 mm, 3) ca. 725 mm, 4) ca. 200 mm.
Dimensions of the selected details in the scroll:
- opening decoration: 70x82 mm;
- columns separating the text: 7 mm (width);
- an average frame with illustration(s): 14x47 mm;
- an average text panel: 58x50 mm;
- an average letter: 2 mm;
- letters in the initial word: 5 mm.

The benediction sheet: 80x385 mm.

The roller: ca. 205 mm (height).
Height
Length
Width
Depth
Circumference
Thickness
Diameter
Weight
Axis
Panel Measurements
Condition

In general, the manuscript is preserved in very good condition, although there are some orange stains on the membranes.

Originally the scroll was glued to the roller but currently, they are joined very lightly.

There are small holes at the right edge of the first membrane; possibly a pull bar was stitched to it.

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 that is accompanied by a separate benediction sheet with the blessings recited before and after the Megillah reading, followed by a liturgical poem for Purim, Korei megillah.

Codicology

The scroll is formed of 4 sheets containing a total of 38 columns of text with 14 lines each, except for col. 32 which has 11 lines divided into two half-columns. 

The number of columns of text per sheet: no. 1 - 11, no. 2 - 12, no. 3 - 13, no. 4 - 2.

The text is written in Hebrew square Italian-Sephardi script with tagin in black ink on the flesh side of parchment membranes that are thin, bright, and smooth. The blank side of the sheets is more suede and darker.

The tagin are drawn very precisely and it seems they were made with the same ink as the decorations.

The initial word in the scroll - ויהי - is written in decorative, enlarged, and bolded letters.

The letter ח (Es. 1:6) is highlighted by its form - it is composed of two parts joined with a very high roof. The letter ת (Es. 9:29) is enlarged. Other enlarged and diminished letters are included in col. 32.

There are some corrections and erasures in the text.

The ruling is made with a hardpoint along with the sheets but it is barely visible; only in col. 32 the lines are more clear.

The sheets in the scroll are stitched but underneath the sheets, in the places where the subsequent sheets are joined, narrow strips of parchment are glued to reinforce the stitching.

The benediction sheet is very thin, bright, and slightly crumpled; its blank side is darker.

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

Some letters (or letters' components) are placed on the decorations; this suggests the pattern was executed before the text was copied.

Remarks
Suggested Reconsdivuction
History/Provenance
Main Surveys & Excavations
Bibliography

No bibliography on the scroll is available.

Short Name
Full Name
Volume
Page
Type
Documenter
Dagmara Budzioch | 2021
Author of description
Dagmara Budzioch | 2021
Architectural Drawings
|
Computer Reconstruction
|
Section Head
|
Language Editor
|
Donor
|
Negative/Photo. No.
M002778