MEGILLAT ESTHER, SCROLL OF ESTHER, in Hebrew, ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT ON A VELLUM ROLL [Italy, second half of the 18th century] 170 x 1560mm, on 3 membranes attached end to end, 22 lines, in a small square Sephardic script, double column within ten rectangular compartments, each within an arabesque border with strapwork ornament at head and foot. Upper and lower borders contain twenty fluted oval panels, illustrating the biblical Esther story. Endpieces of coloured flowers and leaves, the first also contains two lions. (Small hole in first endpiece; occasional rubbing, particularly in first endpiece and compartment; small portion torn from upper margin in second membrane, not affecting the illustration). The 20 illustrations are in typical Italian style, coloured mainly red and green, beginning with the feast given by Ahasverus for the men of Susa and that of his Queen Vashti for the women, followed by Ahasverus and the seven wise men, with the messengers on horseback to call Vashti, and the search for a suitable virgin as wife for the king. It ends with Haman's ten sons being hanged on gallows, the feast of Esther and the Jews dancing. Ownership inscription of Athelstan Riley, 1890, on verso
MEGILLAT ESTHER, SCROLL OF ESTHER, in Hebrew, ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT ON A VELLUM ROLL [Italy, second half of the 18th century] 170 x 1560mm, on 3 membranes attached end to end, 22 lines, in a small square Sephardic script, double column within ten rectangular compartments, each within an arabesque border with strapwork ornament at head and foot. Upper and lower borders contain twenty fluted oval panels, illustrating the biblical Esther story. Endpieces of coloured flowers and leaves, the first also contains two lions. (Small hole in first endpiece; occasional rubbing, particularly in first endpiece and compartment; small portion torn from upper margin in second membrane, not affecting the illustration). The 20 illustrations are in typical Italian style, coloured mainly red and green, beginning with the feast given by Ahasverus for the men of Susa and that of his Queen Vashti for the women, followed by Ahasverus and the seven wise men, with the messengers on horseback to call Vashti, and the search for a suitable virgin as wife for the king. It ends with Haman's ten sons being hanged on gallows, the feast of Esther and the Jews dancing. Ownership inscription of Athelstan Riley, 1890, on verso
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