Esther scroll, in silver case, with dedication to Herbert Samuel. [Ca. 1920].

Silver, cast, cut, pierced and engraved (unmarked).

Miniature scroll, written on seven sheets of parchment sewn together, 32 columns of text, 11 lines per column, with "Tagim" over designated letters.

The scroll is placed in an elaborate decorated octagonal silver case, in a pattern attested in the Near East and primarily in Iraq. Sides of case decorated in engraved and pierced vegetal patterns. On the circumference is a dedicatory inscription in two lines (Hebrew): "A loving souvenir to the High Commissioner, Elazar son of R. Menachem of the Ezrat HaGalil society in Safed, founded 1919". On the top is a crown-like ornament around a dome topped by a spherical ornament. Silver pull bar decorated to match, with small ring. Decorated and warped silver handle.

Eliezer son of Menachem was the Hebrew name of Herbert Samuel (1870-1964), first High Commissioner of Palestine. His appointment in 1920 was celebrated by Jews worldwide, and especially in Eretz Israel, mainly due to his being a Jew, and hopes for his fulfillment of the Balfour Declaration that promised a "national home for the Jewish people" in Eretz Israel. Upon his appointment as High Commissioner, his portrait was imprinted on postcards, photographs, medallions and rugs; poems and songs were authored in his honor, and he was presented with gifts from a variety of actors from inside and outside the Jewish Yishuv.

The present scroll is a fine representation of this spirit. It was prepared for him by the Ezrat HaGalil society, founded in New York by Jews from Safed who emigrated to the United States before World War I and acted through charitable organizations in Safed, Tiberias and Haifa. In 1920, the Safed institutions were headed by Moshe David Shuv.

For a case from Aleppo (Syria) decorated similarly, see: Center for Jewish Art (CJA), item 378658.

Height of parchment: 5.8 cm. Height of case (including handle): 17.5 cm.