Obj. ID: 23769
Hebrew Illuminated Manuscripts JHM Illustrated Esther Scroll with Columns and Birds, The Netherlands, 18th century
The Hebrew text of the Book of Esther is written within panels surrounded by pen-and-ink lavish ornamentation. The text panels are separated by columns topped with compositions of acanthus leaves. In the mid of their heights are placed medallions with the narrative scenes from the Esther story, while their bases are decorated with different depictions of birds (the latter are on the lower margins). The upper margins are decorated with symmetrical acanthus motifs and the lower margins are filled with cartouches surrounded by acanthus leaves separated by the already mentioned columns' bases with birds. The same scheme repeats on all membranes in the scroll, only the figurative scenes are different.
The scroll is stored in an ivory carved case and an ivory pull bar is attached to the right edge of the first membrane.
The text panels vary in width.
sub-set tree:
C | Columns
B | Bird
O | Ornamentation: | Foliate and floral ornaments | Floral motif
A | Acanthus Leaf
O | Ornamentation: | Cartouche
A | Angel of Death | Angel's head
O | Ornamentation: | Main text framed
|
The case: 180 mm (height), 40 mm (diameter).
The scroll is well preserved, only some slight damages on the final part of the scroll can be seen.
The Book of Esther in Hebrew
The scroll contains a total of 7 columns of text with 30 lines each, except for col. 6 which has 11 lines divided into two half-columns.
The text is written in Hebrew square script with tagin in brown ink on parchment membranes.
The letters ח (Es. 1:6) and ת (Es. 9:29) are enlarged and bolded. Other enlarged and diminished letters are included in col. 6.
The ruling and pricking are invisible.
None
A short description and images are available on https://data.jck.nl/page/aggregation/jhm-museum/M000434 (accessed on 10.07.2021).