Esther scroll with decorative pointed horseshoe arches. Morocco, [probably Meknes or its environs], 19th century.
Ink and paint (sepia) on vellum; leather; turned wood; metal.
Esther scroll inscribed in Sephardi script in sepia on 3 sheets (of various widths) of thin, bright–colored, high–quality vellum, sewn one to the other. The scroll contains a total of 28 columns, including 26 columns of text – each consisting of 21 rows – and two additional columns of text, specifically an opening column, with an excerpt from a “piyut” by Rabbi Abraham Ibn Ezra, and a final column, containing the blessing “harav et riveinu” recited after the conclusion of the reading of the Esther scroll.
Each column of text is enclosed within a decorative frame in the shape of a pointed horseshoe arch, and the arches are separated one from the other by an elegant pattern of flowers and leaves in light brown sepia. Use of this ink pigment characterizes other well–known manuscripts originating from Meknes and its environs.
Sewn onto the leading edge of the first vellum sheet is a long, narrow strip of leather meant for tying up and securing the scroll. The scroll is wound around a turned wooden handle adorned with three metal rings, a feature which characterizes Moroccan Torah scroll handles (“atzei hayyim”).

Approx. 11.5X198 cm. Wooden handle: 24.5 cm. Overall good condition. Open tears to beginning of first vellum sheet and end of last (affecting text of final blessing “harav et riveinu, ” but with no damage to body text of Esther scroll). Stains, mostly to beginning and end. Notation in ink on back of first vellum sheet. Scroll detached from handle. Minor fracture to end of wooden handle.

See also: Center for Jewish Art, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Item No. 39606.
Provenance: The Gross Family Collection, Tel Aviv, No. 081.012.012.