Obj. ID: 35187
Hebrew Illuminated Manuscripts  SUB Hand-Drawn Copy Esther Scrolls with Portrait Medallions, The Netherlands or Germany, first half of the 18th century

The hand-drawn and simplified copy of the popular scrolls printed in Amsterdam in the early 18th century that in the Index are called "scrolls with portrait medallions". In spite of some changes in the decoration (e.g. the manuscript lacks an opening panel typical for its prototype, several crowned busts were added that are absent in the prototype), undoubtedly the manuscript's maker intended to follow the original iconographical program.

The Hebrew text of the Book of Esther is inscribed within rectangular text panels that are surrounded by hand-drawn decoration executed with a pen and brown ink. The upper margins are adorned with roundels containing alternately the busts of the king (most likely Ahasuerus) and a young woman (possibly Esther) flanked by acanthus leaves.

The spaces between the text panels are filled with quasi pillars formed of a variety of motifs such as architectural, plant, and floral elements, and heads of angels. Lower margins are embellished with figurative scenes that chronicle the Book of Esther's narrative or allude to midrashim and other sources. They are separated by the octagons (placed beneath the "pillars") on which mainly land- and seascapes, most likely with no direct relation to the Purim story, are depicted. The background of the decorations is filled with an imitation of the cross-hatching.

Rather naive workmanship of the megillah suggests that it was executed by a not very well-trained artist and contrasts strongly with its very fine professional handwriting.

The scroll can be mounted on a wooden rod.