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Img. ID: 328416

© Dagmara Budzioch, Photographer: Budzioch, Dagmara, 3.2015

On the right, a man (Haman?) dictates the decree against Jews to a scribe who sits at a table before him, attended by two other men (Es. 3:12). On the left, the crowned Esther is standing on a pedestal and a man (possibly her servant, Hatach) is facing her as if speaking; two maid-servants stand next to her. Two men stand in the center, but it is difficult to determine which event is illustrated here.

Name/Title
MAHJ Gold Esther Scroll | Unknown
Object Detail
frame 7
Settings
Unknown
Date
1785
Synagogue active dates
Reconstruction dates
Artist/ Maker
Unknown (Unknown)
Origin
Historical Origin
Unknown
Community type
Unknown |
Congregation
Unknown
Location
Unknown |
Site
Unknown
School/Style
Unknown|
Period
Unknown
Period Detail
Documentation / Research project
Unknown
Material / Technique
Ink and paints on parchment + wood
Material Stucture
Material Decoration
Material Bonding
Material Inscription
Material Additions
Material Cloth
Material Lining
Tesserae Arrangement
Density
Colors
Construction material
Measurements
The scroll: 295 x at least 3240 mm (the sheets are wavy and it is difficult to measure the scroll and additionally there is a short piece of parchment that joins the manuscript with the rod).
The length of the membranes in the scroll: 1) 750 mm, 2) 800 mm, 3) ca. 785 mm, 4) ca. 125 mm, 5) ca. 780 mm.
Dimensions of the selected details in the scroll:
- text panel - ca. 155x123 mm (not all are of equal size);
- illustration - ca. 42x125 mm;
- decoration in the upper margins - ca. 55 mm (height);
- decoration between the text panels - ca. 44 mm;
- an average letter: 3 mm (height)
- letters in col. 16: 6 mm high.

A separate benediction sheet - 75x215 mm.
An average letter is 2 mm high.

The roller: 475 mm (height).
Height
Length
Width
Depth
Circumference
Thickness
Diameter
Weight
Axis
Panel Measurements
Condition
The opening part of the scroll is seriously damaged; the sheet is folded and torn. The sheets are folded in a few other places, but in general, the edges of the sheets are straight. In some places, the ink peels off and its color is not so intense but the text is still legible.
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
Textual Content
Unknown |
Languages of inscription
Unknown
Shape / Form
Unknown
0
Ornamentation
Custom
Contents

The Book of Esther in Hebrew accompanied by a separate benediction sheet with the text of ארור המן Arur Haman

Codicology

Scroll: comprised of 5 sheets containing 19 text columns with 22 lines, except for col. 16 with 11 lines divided into two parts.

The text is inscribed in black ink on the flesh side of the parchment, which is thick and stiff; the recto side is brighter than the verso side, which is rather yellow. The verso side of the third sheet is very dark. 

The letters of the square Italian script are decorated with tagim but lack dots at the end of their strokes.

The letters ח (Es. 1:6) and ת (Es. 9:29) are enlarged. Other enlarged and diminished letters are included in col. 16.

The membranes are stitched together.

Benediction sheet: the text is written in a square script with tagim. The parchment is very thin.

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
At the final part of the scroll, on the blank side of the membrane, there is an inscription in the Latin alphabet: "Madonnina 1795" and the former number of the manuscript (12296 2).
Watermark
Hallmark
Group
Group
Group
Group
Group
Trade Mark
Binding
Decoration Program
Summary and Remarks

A scroll decorated with the same gold architectonic frame is stored by the Klau Library at the Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati; scroll 35, formerly - XV.9. 

Illustration no. 16 (sheet no. 4) represents a different style of drawing.  

The Book of Esther's protagonists are depicted in fashionable costumes and wigs.

Remarks
Suggested Reconsdivuction
History/Provenance
The former number of the manuscript: Cl 12296b. Another former number (4708) on the blank side of the first membrane is visible. Formerly in the Strauss Collection (no. 77). Donated by Rothschild.
Main Surveys & Excavations
Bibliography

Victor Klagsbald, Catalogue raisonné de la collection juive du Musée de Cluny, Paris 1981, 68-69, object 76.

A short description in French and an image of the manuscript are available at https://www.mahj.org/en/decouvrir-collections-betsalel/rouleau-d-esther-50119 (accessed on 22.04.2020).

Short Name
Full Name
Volume
Page
Type
Documenter
Dagmara Budzioch | 2020
Author of description
Dagmara Budzioch | 2020
Architectural Drawings
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Computer Reconstruction
|
Section Head
|
Language Editor
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Donor
|
Negative/Photo. No.
M001673