Details
MEGILLAH - Psalms 114, 137 (repeated), 1, 23, 17 and 48 in that order, in Hebrew. [Northern Italy or Austria(?):] chronogrammatically dated 5564 (1804 CE).
Scroll (405 x 900 mm.). ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT ON VELLUM. Written in black ink in two sizes of fine unvocalised square Hebrew script, with both Sephardic and Ashkenazic features, 15 lines to the top columns, 18-19 lines to the lower columns. Illumination in colours and gold: horizontal band of flowers, leaves and birds dividing the six upper columns of text (Psalms 114, 137, 1 and 23) from the two larger lower columns (Psalms 17 and 48), ten historiated columns with mythical or allegorical figures and flowers, fruits, wreaths, birds and snakes, vertically dividing the text columns, in the lower corners two heralds on horseback. (Slightly rubbed and soiled in places, but in good condition.)
Unlike the Torah and Esther, it is highly unusual to find the Hebrew Psalms in scroll form, while the illustration does not appear to incorporate specifically Jewish elements or relate to the choice of Psalms. The scroll was probably not intended to have liturgical or devotional use, but is more likely to have been commissioned to celebrate the visit of a ruler to a synagogue, a wedding or perhaps a temporal feast.
Scroll (405 x 900 mm.). ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT ON VELLUM. Written in black ink in two sizes of fine unvocalised square Hebrew script, with both Sephardic and Ashkenazic features, 15 lines to the top columns, 18-19 lines to the lower columns. Illumination in colours and gold: horizontal band of flowers, leaves and birds dividing the six upper columns of text (Psalms 114, 137, 1 and 23) from the two larger lower columns (Psalms 17 and 48), ten historiated columns with mythical or allegorical figures and flowers, fruits, wreaths, birds and snakes, vertically dividing the text columns, in the lower corners two heralds on horseback. (Slightly rubbed and soiled in places, but in good condition.)
Unlike the Torah and Esther, it is highly unusual to find the Hebrew Psalms in scroll form, while the illustration does not appear to incorporate specifically Jewish elements or relate to the choice of Psalms. The scroll was probably not intended to have liturgical or devotional use, but is more likely to have been commissioned to celebrate the visit of a ruler to a synagogue, a wedding or perhaps a temporal feast.