Obj. ID: 35195
Hebrew Illuminated Manuscripts GFC Miniature Illustrated Esther Scroll, Brno, first quarter of the 18th century
This is a miniature scroll that is only 59 mm high. It opens with a flower-filled vase and the Hebrew text of the Book of Esther is inscribed in panels that vary in width. The upper margins along with the scroll are decorated with foliate and floral ornaments and the spaces between the panels are filled with long stalks with flowers that come out of the vases. The only exception is column no. 23 that is flanked by geometric patterns. The lower margins are adorned partly with figurative scenes framed in ovals, some of them chronicle the Book of Esther but many others cannot be directly connected with the Purim story (due to their size, some of them are difficult to recognize). They are separated by vases with flowers that spread to both sides and cover all available space in the margins.
The scroll is stored in a silver engraved case with a figure of a standing man in its upper part. To the right edge of the first membrane, a metal pull bar is stitched.
The place of the manuscript's origin - Brno - is given according to William Gross.
The text panels are of different widths.
9 image(s)
sub-set tree:
In general, the manuscript (the text, decorations, and parchments) is well preserved.
It seems the opening decoration is not complete and lacks its part on the right-hand side.
The final part of the decoration (on the left side of the last panel) is a later addition to the scroll.
The Book of Esther in Hebrew
The scroll is formed of 4 sheets, in total containing 27 columns of text with 16 lines each, except for col. 23 which has 11 lines divided into two half-columns.
The number of columns of text per sheet: no. 1 - 6 columns, nos. 2 and 3 - 7 columns, no. 4 - 6 columns.
The text is written in Hebrew square Ashkenazi script with tagin in dark brown-black ink on the flesh side of parchment membranes.
The letter ח (Es. 1:6) is enlarged and decorated with scrolled feet. The letter ת (Es. 9:29) is enlarged.
It seems the ruling was done with a pencil; only vertical lines are visible.
The pricking is invisible.
The membranes of the scroll are glued together.
None
No bibliography on the manuscript is available.