Obj. ID: 36174
Hebrew Illuminated Manuscripts Museo Sefardí Esther Scroll with Decorative Tagim, Central or Eastern Europe, first quarter of the 20th century
The scroll: The Hebrew text of the Book of Esther is inscribed in rectangular columns. The scroll is decorated only with multilevel, elaborate tagim added to some letters occurring in the first lines of the text columns. A pull bar of silver is stitched to the right edge of the first membrane. The scroll is housed in a case.
The case is made of embossed silver and decorated with a scene from the Esther story that is a central part of the composition. It shows the enthroned king who extends the scepter to Esther standing before him. In the background, between them, stands an armored soldier wearing a helmet and holding a spear in his hand. It depicts possibly the moment when Esther pleads with the king to save Jewish people (Es. 7:3). Above and below the scene, there are two decorative belts. The case is topped with a crown.