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Obj. ID: 35513
Hebrew Illuminated Manuscripts
  MOIJA Esther Scroll with Biblical Scenes, Padua (?), 18th century

© Dagmara Budzioch, Photographer: Budzioch, Dagmara, 05.05.2015

The scroll is lavishly illustrated with scenes chronicling the narrative of the Book of Esther framed in elongated ovals, which fill the upper and lower margins along with the whole manuscript. They are supplemented with the scenes from other biblical Books: Genesis, Exodus, and Samuel. Incorporated is also an episode from the Book of Judith that is not a part of the Hebrew Bible. These additional scenes are smaller and appear between the ovals and at the same time, above the decorative quasi columns that separate the text; they are decorated with different ornaments. Most of the biblical episodes illustrating other books than the Book of Esther are labeled in Hebrew; originally the episodes from the Megillah were captioned too but the inscriptions were erased and are invisible now. 

Summary and Remarks

Originally some details could be painted in gold.

The paints' shades are not the same on all membranes.

Remarks

50 image(s)

sub-set tree:

Name/Title
MOIJA Esther Scroll with Biblical Scenes | Unknown
Object Detail
Monument Setting
Unknown
Date
18th century
Synagogue active dates
Reconstruction dates
Artist/ Maker
Unknown
Origin
Italy | Veneto | Padua
| (?)
Historical Origin
Unknown
Community type
Unknown |
Congregation
Unknown
Location
Unknown |
Site
Unknown
School/Style
Unknown|
Period
Unknown
Period Detail
Documentation / Research project
Unknown
Iconographical Subject
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: 255x1955 mm.
The length of the sheets in the scroll: 1) ca. 775 mm, 2) 735 mm, 3) 445 mm.
Dimensions of the selected details in the scroll:
- text column: ca. 142x90 mm;
- decorative columns between the columns of the text: ca. 160x15-20 mm;
- illustration: 35 x ca. 85 mm;
- an average letter: 3 mm;
- spaces between the lines of the text: 3 mm.
There is some blank space at the beginning (ca. 110 mm) and the end (ca. 75 mm) of the scroll.
Height
Length
Width
Depth
Circumference
Thickness
Diameter
Weight
Axis
Panel Measurements
Condition
The manuscript is preserved in good condition, although the state of preservation of the particular membranes is not the same. The second sheet is in worse condition than the first one; the text in cols. 7 and 12 inscribed on it is less legible. There are large parts of the text erased and corrected and due to this, the scroll gives the impression of being more damaged. The first sheet is torn in one place and the last one is crumpled. The shade of ink is not the same on all membranes; possibly, in some places, the second layer of ink was applied.
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

The Book of Esther in Hebrew

Codicology

The scroll is formed of 3 sheets containing 15 columns of the text with 26 or 27 lines, except for col. 13 with 11 lines divided into two parts.

Sheets nos. 1 and 2 contain 6 columns of the text, and the third sheet contains 3 columns.

The text is inscribed in the Hebrew square Italian script with tagim, in dark brown ink, on the flesh side of parchment sheets that are bright, of medium thickness, and rather stiff. The blank side of the sheets is very dark.

Tagin seem to be marked in darker ink than the text was written.

The letter ח (Es. 1:6) is marked by its form - it is composed of two parts joined with a roof. The letter ת (Es. 9:29) is enlarged. Other enlarged and diminished letters are included in col. 13.

The ruling was possibly drawn with a pencil along with the whole sheet.

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 information about Padua as the possible origin of the manuscript is based on the declaration of the former owners of the manuscript.
Main Surveys & Excavations
Sources
Type
Documenter
Dagmara Budzioch | 2020
Author of description
Dagmara Budzioch | 2020
Architectural Drawings
|
Computer Reconstruction
|
Section Head
|
Language Editor
|
Donor
|
Negative/Photo. No.
The following information on this monument will be completed:
Unknown |