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Img. ID: 9328

© Center for Jewish Art, Photographer: Unknown, -

The scroll is adorned with a printed border within which the text of the Megillah is inscribed by a scribe. Its first membrane is trimmed into a semicircle and contains only the opening decoration that shows a structure based on two columns supporting a tympanum; it frames the cartouche with a coat of arms. All other membranes are adorned with an identical decorative scheme printed with the same engraved plate that surrounds columns of the text. The upper margin of each membrane is adorned with two compositions. The first of them includes an allegory of Peace standing on a pedestal with a cornucopia in one hand and a wreath in another one. The central female figure is flanked by two winged young men wearing long gowns and helmets who hold waving flags and sticks with ribbons or whips (?). Another composition is formed of two angels seated on either side of a low structure - presumably a tomb - decorated with a wreath and two urns. On the right and on the left, the sheets are decorated with depictions of the allegory of Peace and in the center, a composition with two angels is placed; all three are interspersed by flower-filled vases. The text columns are inscribed within arches supported on marble columns (this suggests the pattern visible on their shafts). Below them, on their bases, fruits (pears?) framed in squares can be seen. Next to the columns, in the niches topped with a Rocaille motif, full figures of the Esther story protagonists are positioned. They are Haman (?), Mordecai, Queen Esther, and King Ahasuerus. Below them, in the small rectangular frames are included four narrative scenes from the Book of Esther but due to their workmanship they are difficult to unequivocally interpret: 1) Hanging of Haman (Es. 7:10); 2) possibly the king who gives his ring to Haman (Es. 3:10) or Mordecai (Es. 8:2); 3) and 4) possibly Esther before the king (related to an unidentified verse). The lower margins of the sheets are blank.

The scroll is mounted on a wooden turned roller.

Name/Title
IM Engraved Scroll after Shalom Italia | Unknown
Object 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
Collection
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
Height
Length
Width
Depth
Circumference
Thickness
Diameter
Weight
Axis
Panel Measurements
Condition
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
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
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.

Remarks
Suggested Reconsdivuction
History/Provenance

The scroll is the extended loan from Rachel Ethel Yahuda, New Haven.

Main Surveys & Excavations
Bibliography
Short Name
Full Name
Volume
Page
Type
Documenter
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Author of description
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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.
0074041