MICROGRAPHIC SEPHIRATH HA’OMER CHART.

Dutch?

n.d

Single manuscript vellum leaf, unsigned. Brown ink, Aschkenazi square Hebrew script in various sizes. Fine micrographic interlace forming a border of circles and lozenges surrounding stylized flowers with corner shells comprising the complete texts of the Five Megiloth (Song of Songs, Esther, Ruth, Ecclesiastes, Lamentations). Chain of alternating squares and circles containing each of the 49 days of the Omer Counting period. Elaborate central decorative elements consisting of a plan of the Temple in Jerusalem, surrounded by panels of various forms containing a potpourri of liturgical prayers, blessings and Biblical readings relating to Festivals through the year. Representation of the New Year portrayed by vignette of Heavenly Book and scales

Spectacularly realized Micrographic Omer Chart of very high quality. Two similar manuscript Omer Charts are in the collection of the Library of the Jewish Theological Seminary, New York (see L. Avrin, Micrography as Art (1981) pl. 89), and the Ethnological Museum and Folklore Archives, Haifa (see EJ, XII 1385). Although the overall form of each of the three manuscripts is comparable, differences occur in compositional elements. The choice of liturgical texts selected and overall style lends itself to posit that the present Omer Chart is of Aschkenazi origin. Additionally the circumspect method in which the forms of the cherubs (above the Holy of Holies) are executed allies itself to a more puritanical Aschkenazi sensibility. Even so, Avrin ascribes the JTS manuscript to Italy, although far less hesitancy existed in representing the human form. See F. Landsberger, HUCA Vol. XXVI (1955) p. 525. Despite being unsigned, it is quite possible the artist was H.D. van Gelder, working in Amsterdam in the mid-18th century. Avrin dates the JTS manuscript to the early 19th century. And yet, the consignor of this manuscript, a highly respected scholar of Jewish studies, is of the opinion that the outer micrographic elements are many centuries earlier than the central composition. A comparable version of this fine micrography was sold by Kestenbaum June 1997, Lot 188. Also compare the micrographic elements of the present manuscript with that offered by Bloomsbury Book Auctions, November, 1988, Lot 5 (dated 1740) and Christie’s (Amsterdam), June 1990, Lot 171. The present Micrography has never appeared for auction-sale nor has it been discussed in scholarly publications