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Img. ID: 346500

© Dagmara Budzioch, Photographer: Budzioch, Dagmara, 11.2015

The sixth text panel (sheet no. 2) is flanked by quasi columns topped with crowned emblems filled with a ship (it symbolizes the tribe of Zebulun) and a plant with fruits (possibly mandrakes which symbolize the tribe of Reuben).

Name/Title
JMNY Esther Scroll with Octagonal Text Panels | Unknown
Object Detail
text panel 6
Settings
Unknown
Date
1806/1807
Synagogue active dates
Reconstruction dates
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 and paints 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: ca. 155 x ca. 4550 mm.
Length of the sheets in the scroll: 1) 255 mm, 2) 610 mm, 3) 605 mm, 4) 250 mm, 5) 665 mm, 6) 680 mm, 7) 615 mm, 8) ca. 680 mm, 9) 190 mm.
Dimensions of the selected details in the scroll:
- decoration between the octagons: 155x40 mm;
- text panels: 117x117 mm;
- an average letter: 3 mm (height);
- spaces between the lines of the text: 4 mm;
- letters in col. 24: 6 mm.

The roller: ca. 305 mm (height).
Height
Length
Width
Depth
Circumference
Thickness
Diameter
Weight
Axis
Panel Measurements
Condition

In general, the manuscript is very well preserved; only its beginning is damaged.

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 the benedictions recited before and after the Megillah reading.

Codicology

The scroll is formed of 9 sheets (the first of them contains only benedictions), in total containing 29 columns of text with 14 lines each, except for col. 24 which has 11 lines divided into two half-columns and col. 29 with 5 lines. The lines are of different lengths so they can fit the shape of the panels.

The number of text columns per sheet: no. 1 - benedictions, nos. 2 and 3 - 4, no. 4 - 2, no. 5 - 4, no. 6 - 5, no. 7 - 4, no. 8 - 5, no. 9 - 1.

The text is inscribed in Hebrew square Ashkenazi script with tagin in brown ink of different shades on parchment membranes. The parchments are thick (except for the fourth sheet that is thin) and suede on their blank side; both sides of the membranes are similar.

The letters ח (Es. 1:6) and ת (Es. 9:29) are large and bolded. Other enlarged and diminished letters are included in col. 24.

The names of Hamn's sons (col. 24) are written in an unusual manner - the words ואת are written on the right, while the names - of equal length - are written on the left.

The ruling and pricking are invisible.

The membranes in the scroll are stitched together.

In the benedictions, a ligature of א and ל letters is used. The Tetragrammaton is replaced by two letters י with a flag of the letter ל and a leg of the א letter.

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
The signature of the illuminator, Jacob ben Bezalel, is placed on the left of the opening decoration: המצייר יעקוב ב''ר בצלאל.
Colophon

The scribal note is placed at the beginning of the scroll, between the decorative elements. It contains the date according to the Jewish calendar - 5567 - that is written three times. It is inscribed twice as קרס''ז and for the third time, a chronogram was used. This is a quotation from the Book of Esther 9:22: נהפך להם מיגון לשמחה, but the letters of the first word should not be counted for the date. The inscription mentions also the place of the manuscript's origin - Frankfurt am Main.

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

The scroll was shown during the exhibition A Tale of Two Cities: Jewish Life in Frankfurt and Istanbul, 1750-1870, September 20, 1982-October 30, 1983 at the Jewish Museum in New York.

In crowns, some traces of gold paint can be seen.

On the edges of the first and a part of the second membranes, tiny holes can be seen; possibly a piece of fabric was stitched underneath.

Remarks
Suggested Reconsdivuction
History/Provenance

Gift of Mrs. Karl R. Finestere.

Main Surveys & Excavations
Bibliography

A short description of the scroll and its image are available on https://thejewishmuseum.org/collection/8898-esther-scroll (accessed on 10.08.2021).

Reader's Digest Complete Guide to the Bible, Pleasantville, NY 1998.

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.
M002980