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Obj. ID: 40972
Sacred and Ritual Objects
  Esther scroll case, Jerusalem, circa 1927

© Gross Family Collection, Photographer: Bar Hama, Ardon,

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)

Summary and Remarks
Remarks

5 image(s)

sub-set tree:

Name/Title
Esther scroll case | Unknown
Object Detail
Monument Setting
Unknown
Date
circa 1927
Synagogue active dates
Reconstruction dates
Artist/ Maker
Unknown
Historical Origin
Unknown
Community type
Congregation
Unknown
Location
Unknown |
Site
Unknown
Period
Unknown
Period Detail
Collection
Documentation / Research project
Unknown
Iconographical Subject
Textual Content
Unknown |
Languages of inscription
Unknown
Shape / Form
Unknown
Material / Technique
Silver, Stamped, Filigree
Material Stucture
Material Decoration
Material Bonding
Material Inscription
Material Additions
Material Cloth
Material Lining
Tesserae Arrangement
Density
Colors
Construction material
Measurements
Length: 10.2 cm, Diameter: 2.1 cm
Height
Length
Width
Depth
Circumference
Thickness
Diameter
Weight
Axis
Panel Measurements
Condition
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
Codicology
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
Scribal Notes
Watermark
Hallmark
Bezalel Yerushalem
Group
Group
Group
Group
Group
Trade Mark
Binding
Decoration Program
Suggested Reconsdivuction
History/Provenance
Main Surveys & Excavations
Sources
Type
Documenter
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Author of description
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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 |