Esther scroll, housed in a decorated silver case. Romania, [early 20th century].

Silver, cast and engraved (marked with a small Romanian fineness mark – a crown above the letter J in circular frame, in use from 1906); gilt; ink on parchment.

HaMelekh Esther scroll (most columns beginning with the word “HaMelekh”), inscribed on four parchment sheets sewn one to the other; 15 columns of text, usually 24 lines per column; tagin on designated letters, and on the letter Heh of the word “HaMelekh” in the opening lines.

Housed in an ornate, parcel-gilt silver case, engraved with the owner’s name: “Isak I. Cohen”. Fitted with a curved handle and a rectangular silver pull bar.

Inscription at the beginning of the first sheet records the donation of the scroll to the Sephardic synagogue in Craiova (Romania). Additional handwritten note at the end of the last sheet, signed and dated Vienna, 1911 (?).

Parchment height: 13 cm. Overall good condition. Minor stains and wear. Slight splitting at sheet seams. Case height (including handle): 29.5 cm. Good condition. Minor blemishes.