{ "viewingDirection": "right-to-left", "metadata": [ { "label": "Note(s)", "value": "Incomplete at the beginning; currently, the text starts at Es. 2:7.; It is a \"court scroll\", that is, it belongs to a family of scrolls in which figures in the narrative scenes represent a higher social class, possibly court Jews, who could also be patrons and users of these manuscripts (see its record <\/a>in The Bezalel Narkiss Index of Jewish Art)." }, { "label": "Former Owner(s)", "value": "E. Titterington Esq" }, { "label": "Alternative Identifier(s)", "value": "R52432" }, { "label": "Binding", "value": "

Green-black box casing.<\/p>" }, { "label": "Decoration", "value": "

The text of the book of Esther is written in round text panels (roundels) surrounded by painted floral or figurative designs. Between the roundels are painted figurative illustrations depicting scenes from the Book of Esther.<\/p>

Right of the first roundel<\/a>: on the top: a richly dressed lady, perhaps Queen Vashti or Esther. Bottom: Haman wearing a feathered hat.
Roundel 1<\/a>: the text is surrounded by a laurel design.
Between roundels 1 and 2<\/a>: at the top Mordecai stands in the gate, armed with a rapier. At the bottom Esther with the scepter. She has a crown on her head and wears luxurious garments like an ermine fur cloak, garments fit for a royal.
Roundel 2<\/a>: the text is surrounded by three different large flowers, one of which a rose, a hunting bird (bottom left) and a man next to a tree, walking through nature (centre left).
Between roundels 2 and 3<\/a>: at the top Queen Esther with two handmaidens. Esther wears a crown and an ermine fur cloak and holds a scepter in her hand. Her handmaidens wear wigs. Bottom: Haman with a cane. On his right Mordecai holding a book, dressed in black and white.
Roundel 3<\/a>: the text is surrounded by the signs of the Zodiac.
Between roundel 3 and 4<\/a>: at the top Haman with a cane and his sabre hanging from his belt. At the bottom an illustration to Esther 3:13: Two messengers are running to spread the king\u2019s decree to kill the Jews throughout the provinces of his kingdom.
Roundel 4<\/a>: the text is surrounded by different flowers, fruits and animals. Top right: a heron holding a snake in his beak; bottom right: a parrot.
Between roundels 4 and 5<\/a>: illustration to Esther 4:16-17. The Jewish community of Shushan is depicted, praying and fasting for three days. They are dressed in black and white. The men wear white collars and black cloaks. On the top illustration, the men are praying in the synagogue; one man reads from a scroll. On the bottom illustration, Jews around a table. Above the table hangs a chandelier. A little boy with a white collar, a black hat and red robes stands on their right.
Roundel 5<\/a>: the text is surrounded by decorative floral motifs.
Between roundels 5 and 6<\/a>: at the top, illustration to Esther 5:2. Queen Esther, looking regal with her crown and ermine fur cloak, kneels in front of the enthroned and crowned Ahasuerus holding a golden scepter. Behind the throne stands a guard with a halberd. At the bottom, illustration to Esther 5:10-13. Haman sits at the table with two friends. One of his friends also wears a feathered hat. On the table are two plates of bread and a cup of wine.
Roundel 6<\/a>: the text is surrounded by painted flowers.
Between roundels 6 and 7<\/a>: at the top, illustration to Esther 6:1. Crowned King Ahasuerus sits in his bed and his servant with angel\u2019s wings brings the book of chronicles to him. Bottom right: illustration to Esther 6:11. Mordecai sits on the royal horse, but he is dressed differently than in other depictions. He doesn\u2019t wear his black and white clothes anymore, but wears an ermine fur cloak and a feathered hat. As the king commanded, he wears the king\u2019s royal garments now. Haman walks with his cane next to the royal horse; he does not wear his feather anymore. A Midrashic element is also depicted: Haman\u2019s daughter leans out of the window and throws filth over her father\u2019s head as he passes by.
Roundel 7<\/a>: the text is surrounded by painted parrots and fruit. Clockwise from top centre: a black two-headed spread eagle holding a sword in its right claw; cherries; a parrot sitting on a branch eating cherries; a peacock; a goldfinch eating berries; a parrot holding a cherry in his beak; a parrot holding cherries in his beak is fastened to a pole with a red ribbon.
Between roundels 7 and 8<\/a>: at the top, illustration to Esther 7:8. In the text Haman kneels on Esther\u2019s bed to plead for mercy and the king then thinks he wants to force himself upon her. The illustration, however, shows Esther in bed naked. Haman stands next to the bed and touches her bare breast and upper leg. This is an addition from Rabbinic literature. According to the rabbis, Esther tries to stir jealousy in the king\u2019s mind by inviting Haman to the banquet and letting the king suspect that Haman has an improper relationship with Esther. Blinded by jealousy, when the king sees Haman on Esther\u2019s bed it is the last straw for him and the main reason to kill Haman. By depicting Esther naked, the illustration underlines her cunning motif for inviting Haman. Bottom right: illustration to Esther 8:2. Mordecai in his black robes and white collar holds the king\u2019s ring.
Roundel 8<\/a>: the text is surrounded by several figures and plants. Clockwise from top: a stag hunting scene; on the right side of the stag stands a hunter shooting a gun; on its left side a dog and three hunters; the stag stands next to an apple tree. Orange tree growing in a bucket. Two trees without leafs and three trees with leafs. An apple tree growing in a bucket.
Between roundels 8 and 9<\/a>: illustration to Esther 8:13-14. A messenger and his horse are depicted, to show that the copy of the commandment was spread over every province.
Roundel 9<\/a>: the text is surrounded by fruits: grapes, a pear, apples, cherries, a pomegranate, a lemon.
Between roundels 9 and 10<\/a>: at top is an unidentified figure of a man shown from behind while writing with a quill on a wall; in his other hand, he holds a scroll (one of decrees?). The scene may allude to the new decree being publicly displayed in each city (Es. 8:13). Below stands a man in a long gown - possibly Mordecai in royal robes (Es. 8:15). A narrow text column is incorporated between roundels 9 and 10.
Roundel 10<\/a>: Illustration to Esther 9:13. The text contains the names of Haman\u2019s 10 sons. Above the text column hangs Haman on the gallows; beside him; surrounding the text column, hang his 10 sons. Within the text column stand Mordecai, pointing at Haman, and Haman\u2019s widow Zeresh, mourning and wearing a veil. A Jewish boy dressed like Mordecai holds Haman\u2019s ring. The unique circular shape of the 11 gallows shows the artist\u2019s creativity.
Between roundels 10 and 11<\/a>: at the top, Esther and Ahasuerus have a festive meal with two other figures. At the bottom, two men with feathered hats (and wearing masks?). One holds a sausage, one holds a wooden stick.
Roundel 11<\/a>: the text is surrounded by four cherubs and floral motifs.
Between roundels 11 and 12<\/a>: at the top, the Roman goddess Flora wearing armour and holding a bouquet of flowers. Flora is the goddess of Spring and Purim is a spring-welcoming feast, this is why the goddess is depicted here. At the bottom, a servant of Flora carrying fruit. A fruit basket stands on his left.
Roundel 12<\/a>: the text is surrounded by a parrot, a sparrow and several flowers.
Last scene<\/a> after the final roundel: Esther kneeling before the kingamend; most likely she is pleading with the king for an additional day of fighting for the Jews (Es. 9:13). A similar scene can be seen between roundels 5 and 6.
<\/div>
" }, { "label": "Acquisition", "value": "Purchased by the The John Rylands Library from E. Titterington Esq in July 1921 for £2 10s." }, { "label": "Title", "value": "Esther scroll" }, { "label": "Layout", "value": "

13 text panels of between 22 and 24 written lines. Membrane I: column 1 and half column 2; membrane II: half column 2, column 3 and half column 4; membrane III: half column 4, column 5 and most column 6; membrane IV: column 6, columns 7-8; membrane V: columns 9-11; membrane VI: columns 12-13. <\/p>

Hard point ruling. Pricking visible on first four membranes. <\/p>

Membranes overlapping, pasted together and reinforced with 4 parchment strips.<\/p>" }, { "label": "Funding", "value": "" }, { "label": "Date of Creation", "value": "mid-18th century" }, { "label": "Origin Place", "value": "Austria(?)" }, { "label": "Origin", "value": "

Produced in Austria(?) in the mid-18th century.<\/p>" }, { "label": "Script", "value": "

Italian square script.<\/div><\/div>" }, { "label": "Data Source(s)", "value": "Description based on Alexander Samely's unpublished draft catalogue, description of decorations by Gabrielle Sed-Rajna, revised and expanded by Stefania Silvestri, Nienke Valk, and Dagmara Budzioch.

Revised by Zsófia Buda.<\/p>" }, { "label": "Alternative Title(s)", "value": "Megilat Ester; מגילת אסתר" }, { "label": "Language(s)", "value": "Hebrew" }, { "label": "Physical Location", "value": "The John Rylands Library" }, { "label": "Extent", "value": "6 membranes, 13 columns Leaf height: 292 mm, width: of the membranes: 1) 425 mm, 2) 700 mm, 3) 695 mm, 4) 690 mm, 5) 730 mm, 6) ca. 675 mm; overall length 3915 mm. Written height: 200 mm, width: 200 mm." }, { "label": "Classmark", "value": "Hebrew MS 44" }, { "label": "Abstract", "value": "

Esther Scroll, with painted illustrations. Incomplete.<\/p>" }, { "label": "Collection", "value": "Hebrew Manuscripts" }, { "label": "Bibliography", "value": "

Dagmara Budzioch, The Decorated Esther Scrolls from the Museum of the Jewish Historical Institute in Warsaw and the Tradition of Megillot Esther Decoration in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries \u2013 An Outline [Polish: Dekorowane zwoje Estery z Żydowskiego Instytutu Historycznego w Warszawie na tle tradycji dekorowania megilot Ester w XVII i XVIII wieku. Zarys problematyki], Warsaw 2019, 1:248-272. <\/a><\/div>
Rylands Library Esther Scroll with Roundels, The Bezalel Narkiss Index of Jewish Art, object no. 36154.<\/a><\/div>
Buda, Zsófia. \"And the Scroll of Esther unrolls\u2026\" <\/a> Rylands Blog, 14 March 2022.<\/div>
\"Illustrated Esther scroll\"<\/a>, The Many Faces of the Rylands' Hebrew Manuscripts, digital exhibition at the John Rylands Library, 2022.<\/div><\/div>
" }, { "label": "Format", "value": "Scroll" }, { "label": "Material(s)", "value": "Parchment" }, { "label": "Condition", "value": "

Tears and wear on first membrane. Hole on last membrane.<\/p>" }, { "label": "Provenance", "value": "

First membrane side b: in black ink \"R52432\".<\/p>

Last membrane, side b: in black ink \"R52432 / Hebrew, no. 44\".<\/p>" }, { "label": "Date of Acquisition", "value": "July 1921" } ], "@type": "sc:Manifest", "attribution": "Provided by The University of Manchester.

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