Obj. ID: 23784  IM Griselini-Related Esther Scroll, Venice (?), mid-18th century

The manuscript represents the Griselini-Related scrolls whose decoration imitates the scheme designed by Francesco Griselini (see "Griselini scrolls" in the Index). All Griselini-Related scrolls are formed of five sheets with four text panels per membrane and are produced in the mixed technique of the decorative border that is printed and hand-written text. Its general composition is the same as in the Griselini scrolls and only minor details - dogs present in the narrative scenes and the checkered floor - differ them. The scheme is based on the row of arcades under which individual columns of the Hebrew text of the Book of Esther are inscribed. On the arcades is placed a balustrade with cartouches flanked by flowers and pairs of birds - turkeys, roosters, parrots, or hoopoes - with their heads turned away; these sections are interspersed by vases with flowers or small citrus trees. Above each cartouche, a peacock (or a turkey?) or a double-headed eagle is placed. Lower margins are adorned with scenes illustrating the narrative of the Book of Esther in rectangular frames that are separated by the columns' bases. The same pattern repeats along with the scroll and only the narrative scenes on the subsequent sheets are different. The text is inscribed in 19 columns and the last panel is left blank.