A Decorated Esther Scroll, [Italy, second half of the 18th century]

Throughout the eighteenth century, Italy was an important center for the production of decorated Esther scrolls. Megillot created during this period were frequently embellished with richly colored flowers and stylized vines, as seen in the present lot, whose borders evoke the visual language of contemporary ketubbot from Rome. The opening panel features a cartouche enclosing a pentagram, surmounted by a bejeweled royal crown—perhaps the emblem of an important Italian Jewish family, as the Jews of Italy often placed their family crests on the front panel of decorated Esther scrolls. In addition, the text of the megillah is preceded and followed by floral garlands surrounding shields bearing the text of the blessings recited before and after the public reading of the scroll in the synagogue. An intact ribbon attached to the first parchment membrane would have been used to secure the scroll following use.

Physical Description

Scroll (9 5/8 x approx. 94 1/4 in.; 245 x approx. 2405 mm) on parchment. Text written in Italian square script in black ink; arranged in 19 columns with 24 lines to a column on 3 membranes stitched together; each column (aside from the first) up till the ten sons of Haman begins with the word ha-melekh (the king). Elegantly painted borders; pentagram shape within cartouche surmounted by a crown at start of membrane 1; blessings over the reading of the scroll inscribed within smaller cartouches immediately preceding and following the text of Esther itself. Some abrasion of paint and ink and minor staining throughout; dampstaining at base of first text column; stitching between membranes 2-3 loose at head and foot. Tapered outer edge of membrane 1 ending in a brown, somewhat-threadbare ribbon used for wrapping; mounted on a turned wooden roller, lacking lower portion and with some losses in upper portion.