Original manuscript on parchment, text arranged in 16 lines, in Hebrew script, housed in an elaborately decorated silver case made by Yemini for the Bezalel School. The decorations include three filigree tiers and two bands mounted with ruby coloured stones surrounding elaborate scenes from the Megilah, depicting Mordechai riding on a horse led by Haman, the king Ahasuerus and others. Scroll height 9.5 cm, case height 22 cm. The Book of Esther is part of Ketuvim (Writings), the third section of the Hebrew Bible. It tells the story of a Jewish girl named Esther who became queen of Persia and thwarted a plan by Haman to commit genocide against her people. Also called The Megillah, the book is the basis and an integral part of the Jewish celebration of Purim. Its full text is read aloud twice during the celebration, in the evening and again the following morning. Besides Song of Songs, it is the only book in the Bible that does not explicitly mention God. 'Since the Talmudic period it has been customary to write the Book of Esther on parchment in the form of a scroll, and the rules governing its production and writing are basically the same as those for a traditional Torah scroll. It is not known when and under what circumstances artistic embellishment of Esther scrolls began. The earliest extant illuminated examples emanate from 16th-century Italy, commissioned by well-to-do Italian Jews' (Encyclopaedia Judaica). Seller Inventory # 98843

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Bibliographic Details

Title: [Esther Scroll housed in silver decorative ...

Publisher: Palestine circa

Publication Date: 1910

Store Description

Shapero Rare Books is an internationally renowned dealer in antiquarian & rare books and works on paper. Our specialists have particular expertise in fine illustrated books from the 15th to the 20th century, travel & voyages, natural history, modern firsts, rare children?s books, guidebooks, Hebraica & Judaica, works of Russian interest, and Islamica. We have possibly the largest selection of Baedeker and other Travel Guides and our Print Gallery has an enormous selection covering every topic of Antique Prints including Maps and Photographs. Please visit us at http://www.shapero.com

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Shapero Rare Books
32 Saint George Street, London, W1S 2EA, United Kingdom

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The condition of all books has been described; all items are guaranteed to be complete unless otherwise stated. Invoices will be rendered in Sterling. The title of goods does not pass to the purchaser until the invoice is paid in full.

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