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Obj. ID: 38108  IM Interlaced Pattern Esther Scroll, Venice (?), second half of the 17th century

© Dagmara Budzioch, Photographer: Budzioch, Dagmara, 05.2015.

13 image(s)

Name/Title
IM Interlaced Pattern Esther Scroll | Unknown
Object Detail
Date
second half of the 17th century
Synagogue active dates
Reconstruction dates
Artist/ Maker
Unknown (Unknown)
Origin
Italy | Veneto | Venice
| (?)
Historical Origin
Unknown
Community
Unknown |
Location
Unknown |
Site
Unknown
School/Style
Unknown|
Period
Period Detail
Collection
Category
Material/Technique
Ink and paints on parchment (handwritten text, printed border) + leather, velvet, and silver thread (?)
Material Stucture
Material Decoration
Material Bonding
Material Inscription
Material Additions
Material Cloth
Material Lining
Tesserae Arrangement
Density
Colors
Construction material
Measurements
The scroll: ca. 110 x ca. 1060 mm.
The length of the membranes in the scroll: 1) ca. 390 mm (the membrane is wavy), 2) 320 mm, 3) ca. 350 mm (the final part of the scroll is rolled).
Dimensions of the selected details in the scroll:
- upper and lower margins - 23 mm (height);
- a text panel (inside) - ca. 81x52 mm;
- an average letter: 1-1,5 mm (height);
- an average letter in col. 14: 2 mm (height).
Height
Length
Width
Depth
Circumference
Thickness
Diameter
Weight
Axis
Panel Measurements
Hallmark
Iconographical Subject
Condition

The opening section of the scroll and the first column of text are not preserved and they were supplemented with a piece of different parchment that was glued underneath. It seems to be painted with light yellow paint or covered with yellow glue.

The second membrane is better preserved than the first one but coloring is brighter and more damaged on it. On the third sheet, the coloring is very well preserved and strong.

Except for the beginning of the scroll, the text is quite well preserved.

The sheets are rather dirty and this causes that they are darker than originally.

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
Description

The manuscript is executed in a mixed technique in which a decorative border is printed as copper engraving and colored by hand whereas the Hebrew text of the Book of Esther is penned by a scribe. The scroll lacks its opening part and the first column of text was supplemented later. Upper and lower margins are filled with repeating interlaced pattern that joins with symmetrical decorations separating the double text panels (the fifth panel contains a single column). The panels are separated by an interlaced ornament enclosed in a rectangular frame.

The manuscript is stored in a leather case covered with embroidered velvet.

Custom
Contents

The Book of Esther in Hebrew

Codicology

The scroll is formed of 3 sheets, containing in total 17 columns of text of 22 lines. Col. 14 includes 11 lines divided into two half-columns.

Membranes nos. 1 and 3 contain 6 columns of text, and membrane no. 2 contains 5 columns.

The text is written in Hebrew square Italian script in black ink on the flesh side of the parchment membranes that are thin and delicate. Both sides of the membranes can be recognized.

The letter ח (Es. 1:6) is slightly larger. The letter ת (Es. 9:29) is enlarged. Other enlarged and diminished letters are included in col. 14.

The ruling is invisible, except for the opening section of the scroll that is a later addition to it and col. 14 where horizontal lines are visible.

The pricking is invisible.

The membranes in the scroll are stitched together.

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
Signature
Colophon

None

Scribal Notes
Watermark
Binding
Decoration Program
Summary and Remarks

The general layout of the decorations and the text (the text inscribed in the double panels separated by the repeating ornament, margins adorned with interlaced pattern) as well as the technique (hand-colored engraving) bear some similarities with the scrolls representing Gaster I type (for their descriptions see "Gaster I type scrolls") in the Index. It seems the scrolls could be produced in the same milieu and in a similar period.

The handwriting on the later addition to the scroll is slightly different but it also represents an Italian type of Hebrew script.

The final part of the scroll of ca. 30 mm width is blank.

History/Provenance
Main Surveys & Excavations
Bibliography

Chaya Benjamin, The Stieglitz Collection: Masterpieces of Jewish Art, The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, Jerusalem 1987.

Short Name
Full Name
Volume
Page
Type
Documenter
Dagmara Budzioch | 2021
Researcher
Dagmara Budzioch | 2021
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Section Head
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Donor
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