An Israeli Jewel-Set Silver Esther Scroll Case with Illuminated Parchment Scroll, Shuki Frieman, Jerusalem, Late 20th Century

One scroll (7 5/8 x 341 5/8 in.; 193 x 8678 mm) on parchment. Text written in Ashkenazic Beit Yosef square script in black ink; arranged in 38 columns with 11 lines to a column on 11 membranes stitched together; each column up to the sons of Haman (except the first) begins with the word ha-melekh (the king); some pencil markings in margins. Elaborate foliate printed borders separated by columns, the columns filled with hand-drawn illustrations of Persian figures or architecture; each column of text supported by a panel with a hand-drawn scene from the story, the illustrations executed in sepia with crimson and gold highlights.

The opening panel features Mordechai being led through the streets of Shushan on horseback; the closing panel has a scene of Jerusalem with decorative roundels. The panels beneath each text column feature the following illustrations: Ahasuerus in his royal chambers, Ahasuerus' feast, Vashti being bidden to join the feast, Vashti being taken away for execution, the call for women from throughout the empire, Mordechai and Esther, the women of the royal harem, Esther in her quarters, Ahasuerus and Esther on their thrones, Mordechai overhearing Bigthan and Teresh, Mordechai refusing to prostrate before Haman, Haman conferring with Ahasuerus, messengers delivering the royal proclamation, Mordechai mourning the royal decree, Mordechai sending a message to Esther, Mordechai and Esther speaking, Jews praying while wrapped in tallitot, Esther approaching Ahasuerus, Esther proposing a feast, Haman planning to hang Mordechai, Ahasuerus listening to the reading of the book of records, Ahasuerus greeting Haman, Haman leading Mordechai on horseback through the streets, Esther accusing Haman at the feast, Haman being led away to be hanged, Ahasuerus greeting Mordecai, Esther beseeching Ahasuerus for mercy, Mordechai instructing scribes to compose a new royal proclamation, messengers delivering the new proclamation, Jews celebrating at a feast, Jews defeating their enemies, gallows prepared for the ten sons of Haman, a proclamation being read before a crowd, Jews celebrating, Mordechai at a desk with pen and scroll, modern-day Jews celebrating Purim, the Purim feast, various symbols of the Purim holiday.