Obj. ID: 40972
Sacred and Ritual Objects Esther scroll case, Jerusalem, circa 1927
The following description was prepared by William Gross:
The Scroll of Esther tells the story of the salvation of the Jews of the Persian Empire. Since the Talmudic period it has been customary to write the Book of Esther on parchment in the form of a scroll, and the rules governing its production and writing are basically the same as those for a traditional Torah scroll. It is not known when and under what circumstances artistic embellishment of Esther scrolls began. The earliest extant illuminated Esther scrolls emanate from 16th-century Italy, commissioned by well-to-do Italian Jews. Cylindrical or polygonal cases were often made to house such scrolls, often provided with a crank handle to roll the parchment through a vertical slot. Cases were made of copper, tin, and wood, but fine silver and some ivory cases have survived as well. Such containers for the scroll were mostly produced in Italy, Austria and the Ottoman Empire.
This small object was produced by the craftsmen of the Bezalel School in Jerusalem during the 1920's. Both the size and the delicacy of the workmanship are extraordinary, as it is truly a miniature scroll case. The workmanship is of fine quality, a difficult feat on such a small object. The body carries a stamped image from the Esther story. During the last half of the 1920's, the Bezalel School made efforts to court supporters abroad. Part of that effort was the publishing of a newsletter and part was the sending of annual gifts. One year, 1928, the gift was a Passover plate, and in 1927 the gift was this scroll case with a miniature Esther scroll printed on parchment with illustrations by Ze'ev Raban.
Inscriptions:
On the scroll pull: Bezalel Yerushalem Made in Jerusalem
Below top element: From Bezalel le-Chaverav (5)687 [1927]
Above bottom element: Membership Bezalel 1927
Two sides of image: Megillat Esther
Below image: and touched the top of the sceptre (Esther 5:2)