Esther Scroll in Fine Filigree Silver Case – Eastern Europe, 19th Century

Esther scroll housed in filigree silver case. [Eastern Europe, probably Galicia, early 19th century].

Silver (unmarked); filigree; gilt; ink on parchment.

Written on four sheets of parchment, 22 columns of text, 22 lines per column. "Tagim" over designated letters. Large ornaments over these letters in lines at the tops of columns. Other specially designated letters emphasized in bold face in certain other places.

Scroll housed in a cylindrical gilt silver case, entirely covered with filigree in a vertically recurrent pattern, in three horizontal bands, two of them consisting of flower-shaped ornaments. Shallow dome-shaped lid, partly covered in filigree, surmounted by spherical knob. Gilt handle with matching filigree pattern. Rectangular filigree pull bar with small ring.

Height of parchment sheets: 12 cm. Overall good condition, numerous creases, few stains, and slight wear. Height of case (including handle): 22 cm. Several ornaments somewhat loose. Kept in a decorated cloth bag, probably more recent.