Beschreibung:

HEBREW MANUSCRIPT. Esther Scroll. An extremely rare illustrated Dutch Megillat Esther, 17th century. Hand-illustrated in brown ink on vellum, 6 membranes, 300 mm. high, 358 mm. long. 16 columns, (125 x 123 mm.) of 18 lines. First two membranes lined in rose-colored silk; three wide, rose-colored ribbon strips sewn to the scroll's beginning, joining in a long ribbon used to wrap around the rolled megillah; mounted on wooden roller 340 mm. long. Silk somewhat worn, ribbons later replacement, opening panel worn. Signed by David, son of Jacob Katz. This extraordinary Esther scroll boasts the largest and most extensive illustrated cycle known from any other extant megillah. Closely related to the narrative cycle of the previous megillah, the scroll's 60 framed narrative scenes, drawn in spectacular detail, fully occupy the scroll's horizontal and vertical borders. That these illustrations are the work of a Jewish artist is strongly suggested by the skillful incorporation of micrographic texts into more than twelve of the megillah's scenes. Written in the same ink as the drawings, these often inconspicuous texts are usually repeated verbatim by the larger, more legible inscriptions that identify each narrative episode. Significantly enough, the identity of the artist may well be indicated within the scroll itself: a colophon inscribed across the cycle's final illustration proclaims that the scroll was finished by David, son of Jacob Katz. Whether this individual was the megillah's illustrator, scribe or both is unspecified. DECORATION The narrative cycle is preceded by an elaborate blessing panel. The format and imagery of this panel clearly recalls triumphal arches, which characteristically display a triple arcade topped by two winged allegorical figures of Victory. The arcade's monumental central gateway is flanked by two smaller arches housing floral vases; resting atop the gateway is a zodiac wheel, crowned by the flanking Victories. The wheel's twelve zodiacal signs are identified by their Hebrew names, beginning with Taleh [Aries], representing the first month, Nisan, in which Haman cast his lot against the Jews, and concluding with Dagim [Pisces], the final month, Adar, upon which the lot fell and the holiday of Purim is celebrated. The blessings recited before the megillah reading are inscribed in the wheel's center; those recited after the reading fill the gateway below. The entire arcade stands atop a base adorned with two rampant lions supporting an inscribed foliate cartouche. The order in which the cycle's scenes are to be read varies, with most vignettes, however, placed adjacent to the text panel they illustrate. The order is as follows: 1. Ahasuerus sitting on King Solomon's throne 2. Ahasuerus' Feast 3. Vashti's Feast 4. Ahasuerus summoning Vashti 5. Execution of Vashti 6. Dispatching of messengers 7. Gathering of maidens 8. Ahasuerus choosing Esther 9. Crowning of Esther 10. Mordecai overhearing Bigthan and Teresh's plot 11. Esther informing Ahasuerus of plot 12. Plot confirmed to Ahasuerus 13. Hanging of Bigthan and Teresh 14. Recording of event in Book of Chronicles 15. People bowing before Haman (left); Mordecai sitting, refusing to bow (right) 16. Ahasuerus giving his ring to Haman 17. Scribes recording Haman's decree against the Jews 18. Dispatching of messengers 19. Ahasuerus and Haman drinking together 20. City of Shushan in mourning (background); Mordecai in sackcloth and ashes (foreground) 21. Esther swooning upon hearing of Haman's decree 22. Mordecai refusing clothes sent by Esther 23. Esther commanding Hatakh 24. Mordecai giving copy of decree to Hatakh for Esther 25. Mordecai and Jews assembled in synagogue 26. Esther appearing before Ahasuerus 27. Esther's first feast with Ahasuerus and Haman 28. Haman angered by Mordecai's refusal to bow 29. Haman with Zeresh and sons 30. Constructing of gallows 31. Reading from Book of Chronicles to Ahasuerus 32. Ahasuerus instructing Haman to honor Mordecai 3