Obj. ID: 37873
Hebrew Illuminated Manuscripts JML Illustrated Esther Scroll with Cut-Out Border, The Netherlands (?), late 17th century (?)
This is one of three known examples of illustrated Esther scrolls with the cut-out decoration in parchment. The Hebrew text of the Book o Esther is inscribed within the arches and the panels are separated by entwined columns. Both margins of all membranes are precisely filled with designs. They are adorned with biblical episodes from the Book of Esther and Genesis (three angels visiting Abraham, the sacrifice of Isaac, and Jacob's dream – this appears twice in the scroll), and midrashic tales. The decorations include unidentified figurative scenes such as a hunting scene, a man riding a donkey, and two men holding a wheel or a wreath, a king (Ahasuerus?) sitting on the throne, a woman and a man (?) playing the mandolins, a house and a man standing next to it (Haman's house?), and a city (?). Additionally, the margins are crowded with numerous animals (lions, birds with long tails - phoenixes?, turtles, squirrels, chameleons (?), snail, frogs (?), dragonflies), fantastic creatures (griffins with a snake and dragons), and cityscapes. Between the illustrations, flowers are placed, and in two places, musical instruments appear too.
The scroll is mounted on a silk backing that is framed with a ribbon.
11 image(s) Items per page
sub-set tree: 
A | Animals and Beasts
O | Ornamentation: | Foliate and floral ornaments | Floral motif
F | Flower
C | Columns
G | Griffin
M | Musical Instruments
B | Bird
|
Taking into account, the fragile nature of the object, it is quite well preserved, even if it lacks its opening decoration and initial benedictions.
It is stored in a frame with glass.
The Book of Esther in Hebrew with a final benediction and shortened version of "Arur Haman"
The scroll is formed of 4 sheets containing 23 columns of the text (+ additional column for a benediction) with 18 or 19 lines except for col. 19 with 11 lines and col. 23 with 12 lines (some of them are very short).
The number of the text columns per sheet: no. 1 - 6, no. 2 - 7, no. 3 - 8, no. 4 - 2 + additional column.
The text is inscribed in the Hebrew square Ashkenazi script with tagin, in light brown ink, on parchment membranes that are bright.
The letter ח (Es. 1:6) is slightly larger than an average letter in the scroll; it is formed 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.
In col. 18 some lines are shorter, so the next column could include solely the Haman's sons section.
The length of the lines in the column varies; they fit the shape of panels.
The ruling and pricking are invisible.
The membranes in the scroll are stitched together.
Benedictions
None
The scroll is mentioned in:
Treasures of Jewish Heritage. The Jewish Museum London, eds. Rickie Burman, Jennifer Marin, and Lily Steadman (London 2006), 62-63.
Two other scrolls sharing the same pattern are mentioned in:
Art and Tradition. Treasures of Jewish Life from the Reuben and Helene Dennis Museum, Beth Tzedec Synagogue, ed. Dorion Liebgott, Toronto 2000, 70-71.
Judith C.E. Belinfante, Joods Historisch Museum / Jewish Historical Museum, Nederlandse Musea III, Haarlem 1978, 47.