A Modern Illustrated Esther Scroll, [Israel, ca. 2000]

The present profusely decorated, unsigned Esther scroll was probably created in Israel around the beginning of this century. It opens with a miniature depicting Ahasuerus seated on the throne in his baroque court, surrounded by courtiers and officers. Each column of text is surmounted by a different type of crown under variously colored archways; between each column at foot is an architectural motif; and beneath each column is a vignette, generally illustrating scenes from the Purim story: Ahasuerus’ feast; Vashti’s empty throne; Haman leading Mordechai through the streets of Shushan; Haman being condemned to death by Ahasuerus; messengers being dispatched to the provinces; Jews rejoicing; etc. The visual effect of the artistry that went into the creation of this scroll is strikingly impressive.

Physical Description

Scroll (19 1/2 x approx. 145 1/4 in.; 496 x approx. 3685 mm) on parchment. Text written in Ashkenazic Beit yosef square script in black ink; arranged in 15 columns with 28 lines to a column on 4 membranes stitched together; each column (aside from the first) up till the ten sons of Haman begins with the word ha-melekh (the king). Elaborately decorated parchment-cut borders; no parchment cutting at the joints between membranes. Minor creasing and cracking of paint in membrane 1; some ink smudging in membrane 2; limited abrasion in upper and lower edges of membrane 3; scattered abrasion, cracking, and creasing in membrane 4.