Large Esther scroll, with decorated leaf of blessings for the Megillah reading. Italy, [18th century].
Ink and paint on parchment; wood, turned and carved.
Large Esther scroll, written in Sephardic-Italian script on five parchment membranes, 17 columns, 24 lines per column. First membrane and leaf of blessings with decorative right edges. Elongated and decorated Lamed on top lines. Omitted words completed in a different hand. With wooden roller.
Enclosed: a large parchment leaf with the blessings for the megillah reading and the piyyut "Korei Megillah" by R. Avraham ibn Ezra. The text is set in an architectural frame composed of three arches resting on four pillars, each bearing a flower-filled vase. A laurel-wreathed head surmounts each arch. Initial words of blessings and piyyut in large, ornamental, gilt letters; some of the ornaments surrounding the text (leaves and branches) were colored in yellow and gold, but most were not filled-in and are only outlined (in pencil).
Height of parchment: 32 cm. Roller: 52 cm. Leaf of blessings: 70X32.5 cm. Overall fair-good condition. Tears, stains and creases to leaf of blessings (long marginal tear). Minor stains and blemishes to scroll. Lacking upper part of roller; some chipping.