Obj. ID: 40927 Esther scroll case, Brno (Brünn), circa 1750
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The following description was prepared by William Gross:
The Scroll of Esther tells the story of the salvation of the Jews of the Persian Empire. Since the Talmudic period it has been customary to write the Book of Esther on parchment in the form of a scroll, and the rules governing its production and writing are basically the same as those for a traditional Torah scroll. It is not known when and under what circumstances artistic embellishment of Esther scrolls began. The earliest extant illuminated Esther scrolls emanate from 16th-century Italy, commissioned by well-to-do Italian Jews. Cylindrical or polygonal cases were often made to house such scrolls, often provided with a crank handle to roll the parchment through a vertical slot. Cases were made of copper, tin, and wood, but fine silver and some ivory cases have survived as well. Such containers for the scroll were mostly produced in Italy, Austria and the Ottoman Empire.
This very small, finely-fashioned silver Esther Scroll case houses what may well be the smallest recorded illustrated Esther Scroll, Gross Family Collection 081.012.039. It is crafted in an early style, with a standing male figure as the finial. The small turning handle was originally marked with the barely visible silver marks of the city of Brno, but later marks, apparently marks for import into France, have obscured the earlier ones.