Decorated Esther scroll, placed in silver case. [Greece, perhaps Ioannina, 19th century].

Ink and paint on parchment; repoussé and engraved silver; cast and turned silver.

Decorated Esther scroll, inscribed on four parchment membranes sewn together, 21 columns of text, 17-19 lines per column. Tagim (decorative "crownlets") over designated letters.

Elaborate scroll, decorated throughout in orange, yellow, green, purple and gold. The opening edge of the scroll is decorated as a large, colorful "rug" with a pointed multifoil arch, intertwining vines and a central decoration designed as a large flower, in Ottoman style. All text columns are surrounded in thin rectangular frames adorned in gold, with rich, colorful rectangular strips separating the columns, designed in various patterns (wave-like lines, leaves and flowers, and diamonds).

Placed in a cylindrical silver case, decorated symmetrically with a large wreath with the Tablets of the Covenant (engraved with the Ten Commandments) in the center, topped by a crown, four vegetal corner decorations and two strips of decorations in a repeating pattern on upper and lower margins. Bulbous lid and base, engraved with matching decorations, with a tall floral decoration on top of lid comprising two layers of sepals and three flower branches. Wide silver pull bar, decorated with matching pattern, with small ring.

The Jewish Museum of Greece collection has about six scrolls with cases resembling the present item (two from Ioannina), as well as about four scrolls with similar decorations.

Height of parchment: 13 cm. Length of scroll: approx. 274.5 cm. Height of case: 36.5 cm. Overall good condition. One flower ornament lacking on upper edge.