Bidspirit auction | Miniature Illustrated Esther Scroll –

Miniature Illustrated Esther Scroll – Italy, 18th Century - Handwritten and hand-illustrated Esther scroll. [Italy, ca. mid-18th century]. Ink and paint on parchment; wood, turned and painted; leather. Miniature Esther scroll (10 cm), written on 4 parchment sheets sewn together (another sheet, short and blank, is sewn to the handle), 22 text columns, 21 lines per column + 2 columns at beginning and end of scroll with blessings recited before and after the Megillah reading (instructions in Rashi script), with Tagim. Original wooden handle, painted black. A charming miniature Esther scroll, decorated and illustrated throughout with colorful illustrations, comprising six large narrative illustrations featuring figures in period dress at beginning and end. The miniature text columns, sized 5.5 by 4 cm, appear within arches standing over Corinthian pillars and vegetal decorations alternately. The top edges feature alternately: illustrations of birds of different species holding ribbons or blossoming branches in their beaks, medallions with faces depicting the heroes of the Purim story, and illustrations of jugs with flowers. Three figurative illustrations are featured at the beginning of the scroll and three more at the end. These illustrations are surrounded by round frames in motifs matching the scroll's decorations (ribbons, birds, jugs, flowers and people), and they are accompanied by relevant verses from the Megillah. The beginning of the scroll also incorporates illustrations of two sphinxes with attached tails, bearing baskets on their heads. The illustrations depict the following scenes: King Ahasuerus' banquet, Ahasuerus extends his golden scepter to Esther, Haman leads Mordechai on a horse while Haman's daughter empties a chamber pot on him (based on a Midrash), the heralds ride their horses at the king's command, the hanging of Haman, the hanging of Haman's ten sons. The characters are wearing period dress, incorporating elements of Italian Baroque style and Oriental dress with red fezzes. Height of parchment: 10 cm. Length of parchment: 169.5 cm. Height of handle: 26 cm. Overall good condition. Creases, minute tears and stains to edge of first sheet, with fading of paint and slight defects to first two illustrations. A few stains and light fading of paint across scroll, slightly affecting illustrations. Handwritten inscriptions in several places. The scroll is placed in a more recent leather-coated wooden case, with decorations to leather and two leather fasteners (one torn). Provenance: Sotheby's, Tel Aviv, 2 October 1991, Lot 19.