Illustrated Esther scroll; reproduction of a scroll with elaborately-illustrated engraved borders, presumably printed in Amsterdam in the 18th century. [Place of printing not indicated, 20th century].
Ink on parchment; printed illustrations; watercolor.
Scroll with printed illustrations, hand-colored, after a scroll with engraved illustrations printed in Amsterdam in the early 18th century. This style of illustrated scrolls was very popular in European communities, and they were printed in many variations.
The Megillah blessings are surrounded by nine narrative scenes from the Book of Esther. The text columns are separated by wreathed ornamented pillars and putti in a neo-classical style. A series of four elaborate landscapes are presented in cartouches above the text columns, and detailed narrative scenes of the Purim story unfold along the lower border; including a scene depicting Haman shooting an arrow at the zodiac – representing the lots he cast to determine which month should be selected for the destruction of the Jewish people. As is prevalent in these scrolls, the names of the ten sons of Haman are accompanied by a corresponding illustration.
Height: 19.5 cm. Good condition. Printing defects.
For a similar scroll see: The Stieglitz Collection – Masterpieces of Jewish Art, by Chaya Benjamin. The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, 1987.