Beautiful Manuscript on parchment – Order of Blessings & Prayers.
Calligraphed & Illustrated Germany, 1738.
Breathtaking Miniature!
Illustrated manuscripts on parchment have historically been regarded as treasured collectibles. This 18th century miniature creation, masterfully calligraphed on fine parchment, measures only 6.6 cm and was artistically embellished with color borders and ornamental illustrations of angels, people, flora and fauna.
The manuscript text includes Nighttime Recitation of Shema, Grace After Meals; Birchos Hanehenin, Order of Candlelighting on Chanukah; Blessing of the Moon; Blessing on an Eiruv, Order of Tashlich on Rosh Hashanah, Prayer upon Entering and Exiting the Succah, Order of Counting the Ha’Omer, and the Wayfarer’s Prayer.
The manuscript was magnificently illustrated by an artisan, with each page encased in an impressive border and half-page illustrations appearing majestically throughout the book. The title page features an architectural-style border with ornate pillars adorned in flowers, cherubs and an eagle in flight. The opening word of each passage is designed in large block letters, with each letter encased in a square border of mandalas formed of flowers, trees, birds, and curlicues. The rest of the manuscript is brilliantly garnished with dozens of decorative elements in an array of red, green and blue ink.
List of half-page illustrations:
Page 4b: Nighttime Recitation of Shema – A father sits on an armchair and recites ‘Shema’ while the mother escorts her son to bed.
Page 13b: Grace After Meals – A cluster of men wash hands and gather around the table to enjoy a sumptuous meal. A smaller illustration displays a deer and rabbit running across hillocks and through trees.
Page 21a: Brachah Me’ein Shalosh – The Spies carry a large cluster of grapes on their shoulders.
Page 23a: Order of Candlelighting on Chanukah – A man lights his Chanukah candles in an ornate menorah.
Page 28a: Blessing of the Moon – A shammash bears a torch in one hand, illuminating a large board with the text of Kiddush Levanah to enable his fellow congregants to read the text at night.
Page 28b: Counting the Omer – A man takes a haircut.
The final page of the book boasts an intricate mandala of flowers, pomegranates, and leaves.
Germany, 1738. 43 leaves. Page size: 6.6 cm x 5.2 cm. Original leather binding with iron clasp. (One closure missing.) Good condition. Outstanding, rare illustrated manuscript.
Provenance: The Moldovan Collection.
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