![Esther scroll decorated with engravings. [The Netherlands, early 18th century]. Housed in decorated silver case. [Galicia,](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale109/9_1.jpg "Decorated and Engraved Esther Scroll – The Netherlands, Early 18th Cen")
![Esther scroll decorated with engravings. [The Netherlands, early 18th century]. Housed in decorated silver case. [Galicia,](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale109/9_2.jpg "Decorated and Engraved Esther Scroll – The Netherlands, Early 18th Cen")
![Esther scroll decorated with engravings. [The Netherlands, early 18th century]. Housed in decorated silver case. [Galicia,](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale109/9_3.jpg "Decorated and Engraved Esther Scroll – The Netherlands, Early 18th Cen")
![Esther scroll decorated with engravings. [The Netherlands, early 18th century]. Housed in decorated silver case. [Galicia,](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale109/9_4.jpg "Decorated and Engraved Esther Scroll – The Netherlands, Early 18th Cen")
![Esther scroll decorated with engravings. [The Netherlands, early 18th century]. Housed in decorated silver case. [Galicia,](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale109/9_5.jpg "Decorated and Engraved Esther Scroll – The Netherlands, Early 18th Cen")
Auction 109 Books | Letters and Manuscripts | Megillot and Jewish Ceremonial Art
Decorated and Engraved Esther Scroll – The Netherlands, Early 18th Century / Decorated Silver Case – Perhaps Lviv, Ca. 1900
Opening: $3,000
Sold for: $6,875
Including buyer's premium
Esther scroll decorated with engravings. [The Netherlands, early 18th century]. Housed in decorated silver case. [Galicia, perhaps Lviv, ca. 1900].
Ink and engraving on parchment; silver, repoussé, cut, embossed and engraved (unmarked, apart from a Dutch import mark, in use from 1953).
Esther scroll written on 4 parchment membranes sewn together, 16 text columns + opening column, 24-27 lines per column. Megillah blessings written on opening column.
The present scroll belongs to a group of engraved Esther scrolls produced in Amsterdam in the 18th century in several variants. The present type is the earliest variant, with one copy located in the René Braginsky collection in Zurich dated to 1701.
The scroll is abundantly decorated with high-quality engravings: eight engravings depict events from the Purim story incorporated in opening column, sixteen engravings located in bottom margins of text columns also depicting the Purim story (some based on Midrashim), and sixteen engravings at tops of columns with landscapes (effectively four landscapes repeated four times). The text columns are separated by large, decorated pillars, some decorated with cherubs (putti) carrying flower baskets on their heads; under each column – at bottom edge – is a large jar of flowers and fruits, separating the scenes of the Purim story.
The scroll is placed in a late silver case, perhaps produced by Jewish smith Baruch Dornhelm, active in Lviv in late 19th and early 20th century. The case features five scenes from the Purim story depicted in repoussé, captioned with the relevant verses. At the top of the case is a dedicatory inscription: "A token of friendship to my friend R. Menachem Schorr" – possibly R. Menachem Mendel Schorr, dayan and posek in Brody, near Lviv. The case is shaped in a long cylinder, with a bird atop a large crown ornament on top, and a short scythe-shaped handle at bottom. Silver pull bar with large decorated opening handle.
For similar cases produced by Dornhelm, see: Center for Jewish Art, no. 40922 (Gross Family Collection); René Braginsky Collection, S79 (English catalogue no. 101).
Height of parchment: 17 cm. Fair condition. Many stains, creases and wear, slightly affecting text. Very dark stains to edge of first sheet, with old mounting of piece of fabric on verso of opening column. Marginal tears. Tear some cm long on last membrane. Tears and unraveling to seams, with amateur tape reinforcement; nevertheless most engravings are in good condition. Height of case: 32 cm. Maximal width: 5 cm. Good condition.
The present scroll formerly belonged to the collection of Mozes Heiman Gans (1917-1987), Amsterdam, from which a digitized version was made available in the NLI catalog, listing 990052898450205171.
Esther Scrolls
Esther Scrolls