Bidspirit auction | Esther Scroll with Sheet of

Esther Scroll with Sheet of Blessings – Italy, 19th Century - Esther scroll with accompanying sheet of blessings. Italy, [19th century]. Ink and paint on parchment; wood, lathed and carved. Esther scroll written on 10 sheets of parchment sewn together, 43 columns of text, 11 lines per column. Enlarged initial for opening Hebrew word ”VaYehi” decorated in gold. Small illustration of a branch with flowers on tab attached to leading edge of first sheet. A matching sheet of blessings – including the  blessings over the Megillah reading, and the piyut  ”Korei Megillah” – accompanies the scroll. Blessings and piyutim are enclosed in frames in the form of arches supported by architectonic columns, painted yellow, red, and blue. Wound around original wooden handle. Height of parchment sheets: 9-9.5 cm. Overall good condition. Stains and spots of faded ink (mostly to upper margins). Faded words and verses re-inscribed later, with ink. Parchment tie detached. Open tear to leading edge of first sheet, professionally mended. Sheet of blessings: 33X9 cm. Good condition. Stains, spots of faded ink and paint, and creases. Length of handle: 24.5 cm. Good condition. Few open fractures.