Obj. ID: 23759  Private Collection Esther Scroll with Angels' Heads and Busts, Germany, 18th century

The hand-painted scroll whose decorative scheme is partially based on the ornamentation of the group of popular Amsterdam scrolls produced in the early 18thcentury (in the Index see for the "scrolls with portrait medallions"). Its upper margins are embellished with ovals surrounded by stylized acanthus leaves framing the half-figures of King Ahasuerus and a lady in a sophisticated attire (most likely Queen Esther) appearing alternately. They are flanked by either a winged head of an angel or a flower shown against a decorative background. The subsequent text columns are interspersed by different combinations of interlaced patterns, flowers, and stylized leaves. The lower margins are embellished with narrative scenes from the Book of Esther in rectangles and between them, either a flower or a lion with a ring in its mouth (a knocker?) appear. Not all the episodes appear in chronological order and therefore not all of them are related to the section inscribed in the panel above. An additional illustration is incorporated directly into the 10th text column. The Megillah starts with an enlarged word ויהי placed in an oval surrounded by stylized acanthus leaves.  

The scroll is mounted on a wooden roller.