Miniature Torah Scroll, Eastern Europe, ca. 1900

Scroll (Height of parchment: 4 3/16 in. (106 mm); height of text: 3 1/2 in. (88 mm); X app. 38 ft. 4 in. (app. 11.67 m). 32 membranes, 199 columns, 42 lines, blind-ruled, written in black ink on vellum in Ashkenazic STAM square script, sewn with gidin; on metal rollers.  Midnight blue velvet mantle embroidered and bordered with golden and silver metallic thread.

Torah scrolls of such minute dimensions are extremely rare.  Naturally, the degree of proficiency required to produce such a small Torah Scroll was beyond the ability of all but the most skilled scribes.  A miniature scroll such as this would most likely have been commissioned by a wealthy individual in order to fulfill the commandment to personally write a Torah Scroll (or to have one written for you).  The small size and reduced weight of a miniature scroll meant that it was sufficiently portable that a devout Jew could always carry a Torah when traveling.  In addition, miniature scrolls could be more easily stored in a private residence without requiring the construction of a large ark such as those used to house the communal torah scrolls, found in most synagogues. Instead, specialized mantles, and sometimes miniature arks and assorted accoutrements were fashioned to complement the diminutive scrolls.