Large, Illuminated Esther Scroll – Hungary and Eretz Israel, 19th Century

Large, Illuminated Esther Scroll – Hungary and Eretz Israel, 19th Century
Large, illuminated Esther scroll. [Scroll: Hungary(?), ca. mid-19th century. Illustrations: Eretz Israel, ca. late 19th century].
"HaMelech" scroll (most the columns begin with the word "HaMelech"), on a wooden roller. 42 lines per column; the names of the ten sons of Haman are written in a separate column. Crown decorations to upper lines. The letters He, Vav and Yud which form G-d's name, are emphasized in several places.
Later illuminations, probably added in Eretz Israel decades after the scroll was scribed. Separating the text columns are Solomonic columns standing on stepped bases, with additional elaborate bases and urn capitals. Stylized foliate arches top the text columns, underneath which appear engraving-like Esther scroll scenes and landscapes, in a style typical of European Esther scrolls of previous centuries.
Height of parchment: 35.5 cm. Overall height (including roller): 64 cm. Good condition. Stains, creases and defects to parchment. Losses and damage to paint. Damage and occasional losses to ink. Catalog number (unidentified) on back of scroll.
See a similar scroll in the Sotheby's catalog, November 1983, item 153.