Decorated Esther scroll, in silver case. [Probably Greece, 19th century].

Ink and paint on parchment; silver, repoussé and engraved; silver, cast and turned (unmarked).

Written on five sheets of parchment sewn together, 20 columns of text, 17-19 lines per column.

Decorated throughout in yellow, red and green. At beginning edge of scroll, large, colorful "rug" decoration with a symmetrical vegetal pattern. All text columns enclosed in thin rectangular frames decorated in yellow, separated by rectangular strips in colorful vegetal patterns.

Cylindrical silver case, decorated symmetrically in vegetal patterns. At top of case, decoration resembling a flower vase. Wide silver pull bar, decorated in matching pattern, with small ring.

Height of parchment: 10.5 cm; height of case (including handle): 32.5 cm. Overall good condition. Minor marginal tears and stains, mainly to seams. Tear reinforced with tape at end of fourth membrane. Floral decorations loose or partially lacking at top of case.