A Fine Esther Scroll [Ancona, circa 1750]

Scroll (height: 8.75 in.; 220 mm). Ink on Parchment, written in 26 columns on 10 membranes stitched together. Eighteen lines to a column. Scribe: Elia of Cittanova.

A splendid Esther scroll with the text framed by prominent red and blue colored borders embellished with bold floral designs in spare- ground technique.  This vibrant pattern of ornamentation is a fine example of the work of a Jewish artist from Ancona who was engaged in the production of decorated megillot and ketubbot in the second half of the eighteenth century.  The port city of Ancona was home to a large community of Jews involved in trade and commerce and a center of both ketubbah and megillah decoration in the eighteenth century.  It is particularly interesting to find examples of Jewish art where the design is so clearly localized and specific to one city.