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Obj. ID: 35515
Hebrew Illuminated Manuscripts
  Historisches Museum Frankfurt Esther Scroll Based on Gaster I Scrolls, Germany, 18th century

© Horst Ziegenfusz, Photographer: Ziegenfusz, Horst, 08.2020
The hand-painted decoration of the scroll is strongly based on the engraved pattern of Gaster I type scrolls (in the Index see "Gaster I Type scrolls"), although numerous differences can be found between them too. The opening decoration of the scroll is formed of several schematically drawn leafy twigs with fruits or flowers. The upper and lower margins are filled with repeating endless knot motifs alternating with cartouches enclosing one up to three scenes that chronicle the narrative of the Book of Esther. The background behind the cartouches and endless knot patterns is colored. The text panels are interspersed by a stylized floral decoration. The same scheme repeats on all membranes forming the manuscript. It cannot be determined how (and if at all) the final part of the scroll is decorated, as it is placed inside a silver case in which the manuscript is housed. It is decorated with a floral pattern with foliage. At the bottom, there is a handle and two metal flowers with leaves are on its top.
 
To the right edge of the first membrane, a metal pull bar is attached.
Summary and Remarks

The ornamentation is based on Gaster I scrolls, but the scroll is longer than the prototype.

On the upper and lower margins, there are 20 cartouches in total.

The floral pattern appears 24 times in the scroll.

Every panel includes a single column, whereas in Gaster I type scrolls, there are two columns per panel.

Some details were originally painted gold; at present, those parts are rather brown.

Sketches in pencil are still noticeable. In some places, the original drawing is not colored.

The background is painted in two different shades of pink color.

No two endless knot patterns in the scroll are identical.

The restoration took place in 2004.

Remarks

1 image(s)

sub-set tree:

Name/Title
Historisches Museum Frankfurt Esther Scroll Based on Gaster I Scrolls | 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
Location
Unknown |
Site
Unknown
School/Style
Unknown|
Period
Unknown
Period Detail
Collection
Documentation / Research project
Unknown
Textual Content
Unknown |
Languages of inscription
Unknown
Shape / Form
Unknown
Material / Technique
Ink and paints on parchment + silver
Material Stucture
Material Decoration
Material Bonding
Material Inscription
Material Additions
Material Cloth
Material Lining
Tesserae Arrangement
Density
Colors
Construction material
Measurements
The scroll: 156-160 x ca. 1700 mm.
The length of the sheets in the scroll: 1) ca. 570 mm, 2) ca. 610 mm, 3) ca. 520 mm.
Dimensions of the selected details in the scroll:
- an average text column: ca. 65x80 mm;
- floral pattern: 80x12 mm;
- cartouche: 30x100 mm;
- an average letter: 2 mm (height).

The case: 185 mm (height).
Height
Length
Width
Depth
Circumference
Thickness
Diameter
Weight
Axis
Panel Measurements
Condition
The manuscript (decorations, text, and membranes) is well preserved. Only the first sheet is slightly damaged and this part was restored.
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 22 columns of the text with 22 lines except for col. 19 which has 11 lines divided into two parts.

The number of columns per sheet: no. 1 - 7, no. 2 - 8, no. 3 - 7.

The text is written in Hebrew Ashkenazi square script with tagim on selected letters, in black and shiny ink, on the flesh side of parchment sheets.

The letters ח (Es. 1:6) and ת (Es. 9:29) are enlarged and bolded. Other enlarged and diminished letters are included in col. 19.

Every word המלך appearing at the head of the columns of text is decorated with an ornament that is attached to the flag of ל letters. The same ornament is added to the word המלכה referring to Esther. Additionally, to the letters ה in the words המלך tagim are added.

The letters of the Tetragrammaton are marked (cols. 11, 12, and 14).

Three letters are highlighted in the text: ו and ע in the last line of the column listing the sons of Haman and ע in the final word of the Megillah.

In col. 14 there are words written in larger letters.

The ruling is made with a hardpoint; the lines are only inside the text panels.

The membranes in the scroll are glued together.

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
Acquired on 21st April 1893 for an amount of 150 Deutsche Mark.
Main Surveys & Excavations
Sources

Mendel Metzger, Eine illustrierte Estherrolle der zweiten Hälfte des 18. Jahrhunderts im Historischen Museum Frankfurt am Main, mit einem Anhang über Megilla-Hülsen, „Schriften des Historischen Museums Frankfurt am Main” 13 (1972), 95-116.

Monumenta Judaica. 2000 Jahre Geschichte und Kultur der Juden am Rhein; eine Ausstellung im Kölnischen Stadtmuseum 15.10.1963 – 15.03.1964, ed. M. Garding, Köln 1964, object no. E 671.

Synagoga. Jüdische Altertümer Handschriften und Kultgeräte. Historisches Museum Frankfurt am Main, 17. Mai – 16. Juli 1961, Frankfurt am Main 1961, object no. 137.

Dagmara Budzioch, Dekorowane zwoje Estery z Żydowskiego Instytutu Historycznego w Warszawie na tle tradycji dekorowania megillot Ester w XVII i XVIII wieku. Zarys problematyki [The Decorated Esther Scrolls from the Museum of the Jewish Historical Institute in Warsaw and the Tradition of Megillot Esther Decoration in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries – An Outline], Warszawa 2019, 1:151-152.

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 |