Miniature Torah Scroll – Poland, 19th Century

Miniature Torah scroll. [Poland?, ca. 19th century].

Ink on thin, high-quality parchment; turned bone.

Ashkenazic Stam script, neatly and elegantly written, in conformity with halachah (not examined for halachic validity). 45 lines per column. Two sheets in Bamidbar written by other scribes (from the middle of Parashat Chukat to the middle of Parashat Matot). Sheets correctly sewn together with sinews.

Wound on a pair of bone rollers.

Minuscule Torah scrolls such as the present one are exceedingly rare, due in part to the complexity of scribing them and the great cost entailed. Such scrolls were usually scribed as gifts for famous rebbes or rabbis, or for exceptionally wealthy people, such as Sir Moses Montefiore who would bring a Torah scroll along with him on his travels around the world.

Height of parchment: approx. 14 cm. Maximum height including rollers: 26 cm. Good-fair condition. Many stains, wear and creases. Late corrections. Fading of ink. Several sheets slightly detached. Placed in new velvet mantle.