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Obj. ID: 35185
Hebrew Illuminated Manuscripts
  SUB Chinoiserie Esther Scroll, Italy, 18th century

© Staats- und Universitätsbibliothek Carl von Ossietzky (SUB), Photographer: Unknown, -

The lavishly decorated scroll in which the Hebrew text of the Book of Esther is inscribed within double text panels. The right edge of the first membrane of the manuscript is trimmed into a decorative shape which is partly preserved. It is filled with a depiction of a garden in which musicians who are playing different instruments such as pipes, flutes, French horns, bassoons, and trumpets. Upper and lower margins adorn the scenes from the Purim story shown in the Italian realities such as architecture, costumes, and equipment. At the same time, many figures - including Mordecai - are depicted in Chinese clothing; this reflects a fascination with the Orient so popular in Europe of the 17th and 18th centuries. Besides the scenes directly related to the biblical narrative, depicted are also scenes showing Purim celebrations and likely local Purim customs and games. The decoration is supplemented with some fantastic and disproportionately large birds, flowers, and plants. Some scenes evoke associations with theatre and Purim plays. The text panels are separated by panels decorated with different patterns.

Summary and Remarks

A similar megillah stored in the Library of Congress, the African and Middle Eastern Division in Washington (no. 038.00.00) is described: https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/an-illuminated-megillah-judaic-treasures (accessed on 24.09.2020).

Remarks

9 image(s)    Items per page

sub-set tree:  

Name/Title
SUB Chinoiserie Esther Scroll | Unknown
Object Detail
Monument Setting
Unknown
Date
18th century
Active dates
Reconstruction dates
Artist/ Maker
Unknown
Origin
Historical Origin
Unknown
Community type
Unknown |
Congregation
Unknown
Site
Unknown
School/Style
Unknown|
Period
Unknown
Period Detail
Documentation / Research project
Unknown
Textual Content
Unknown |
Languages of inscription
Unknown
Shape / Form
Unknown
Material / Technique
Ink and paints on parchment
Material Stucture
Material Decoration
Material Bonding
Material Inscription
Material Additions
Material Cloth
Material Lining
Tesserae Arrangement
Density
Colors
Construction material
Measurements
The scroll: 280x3720 mm.
Height
Length
Width
Depth
Circumference
Thickness
Diameter
Weight
Axis
Panel Measurements
Condition
In general, the manuscript is preserved in good condition. Some parts of the decoration are erased or faded. The frames of the panels originally could be painted gold but now the color is invisible. The text is very well preserved.
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
0
Ornamentation
Custom
Contents
Codicology

The scroll is formed of 7 sheets containing 28 columns of the text with 17 lines except for col. 23 with 11 lines divided into two parts. 

Each membrane contains 2 text panels with 4 columns of the text.

The text is inscribed in the Hebrew square Italian script, in black ink, on the flesh side of parchment membranes that is brighter than the blank side that is more yellow.

The letter ח (Es. 1:6) is highlighted by its form (it is formed of two elements joined with a roof) and size (it is larger than an average letter in the scroll). The letter ת is enlarged and bolded (Es. 9:29). Other enlarged and diminished letters are included in col. 23. 

The ruling is slightly visible, in some places only.

The membranes in the scroll are stitched.

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
Suggested Reconsdivuction
History/Provenance
The blank side of the opening part of the scroll, there is a German inscription saying about the previous owner of the manuscript - the Russian prince Vasily Sergeyevich Trubetskoy (d. 1841). The manuscript was given to the Library in 1906.
Main Surveys & Excavations
Sources

Hans-Walter Stork, Falk Wiesemann, Codex hebraicus 345, [in:] Irina Wandrey ed., Manuscript Cultures, vol. 6, 249-252.

Images of the scroll are available on https://resolver.sub.uni-hamburg.de/kitodo/PPN895256576 (accessed on 24.09.2020).

Type
Documenter
Dagmara Budzioch | 2020
Author of description
Dagmara Budzioch | 2020
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.
The following information on this monument will be completed:
Unknown |