Megillas Esther. Italy, Late 17th Century
Fascinating Color Illustrations on Parchment!
Megillas Esther, printed and then beautifully illustrated on parchment. Each illustration is a work of art and is enhanced with vibrant colors, typical of the style of 17th-century Italian artists and illustrators.
This is one of the earliest engraved illustrated Esther scrolls from Italy.
The megillah is inscribed with high-quality ink and features impressive designs and color illustrations. Between every two columns, there is a delicate illustration of leaves. The tops and bottoms of the columns boast 18 color illustrations encased in a red ink border depicting the story of the megillah and intriguing geometrical shapes.
The leaf preceding the first column of text depicts a large illustration of Mordechai sitting on the king’s horse led by Haman and an entourage of five musicians with musical instruments.
Italy, late 17th century. 3 parchment leaves sewn together, printed on 18 columns – 25 lines per column.
Height of parchment: 17 cm.
For more information on this type of scroll
see here
Venice circa 1675
This is one of the earliest engraved illustrated Esther scrolls from Italy.
Condition: Ink is partially slightly faded but was restored during a later period of time. Used. Minor tears, but all text is intact. Restorations on the margins of the first section. Preserved in a new case.
Provenance:
1. Sotheby’s Jerusalem 1987. May 24, Item 32.
2. Yechezkel Toporowitch Collection
…………………………………………
Any inquiries about this lot ?
