MEGILATH ESTHER

(Scroll of Esther). Black ink on vellum. Large Aschkenazi square Hebrew script 16 lines arranged in 24 columns on 5 membranes. Opening panel with initial blessings set amidst detailed pen-and-ink border. Final panel with concluding blessing and song. Set on turned wooden roller Initial panel stained with deep central crease. Width: 285 mm

Italian: Early 18th century