Work of Art

Esther Scroll and Case

Creado

1800s

Artista

Artist Unknown

Dimensiones

17 1/16 inches (43 centimeters)

Medio

Case: gilded silver filigree and coral, Scroll: ink on vellum

Crédito

Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Robert Lacin

Número de objeto

2007.9

Cultura

Clasificación

Metal

Departamento

Judaico

Key Ideas

This rare ornamental case contains a handwritten scroll of the Book of Esther, one of the books from the Writings section (Kituvim in Hebrew) in the Hebrew Bible. It comes from a Jewish community in the Ottoman Empire (present-day Turkey).
Traditionally the Book of Esther (Megillat Ester in Hebrew) is read aloud in the synagogue during the festival of Purim. It celebrates how Esther, one of the king’s wives, was a courageous woman who helped save her Jewish community from disaster.
The Megillat Ester is written in Hebrew on vellum or parchment (made from the skin of a kosher animal) and rolled on a handle within a protective case.

Más información

Jewish communities were located across a wide expanse of the Ottoman Empire. Among the Jews of Izmir (Western Turkey on the coast of the Aegean Sea) under the Ottoman Empire, it was customary for the father of a “marriageable” daughter to present a prospective suitor with an Esther scroll in a lavishly decorated case.

The fish motifs on this Esther scroll case have symbolic meaning. Purim occurs during the Hebrew month of Adar, and its zodiac symbol is Pisces (fish). The fish images also represent a biblical text that refers to fish in terms of fertility. These types of scrolls often served as engagement gifts.

Read Less Keep Reading

Recursos adicionales

Recursos para los profesores:

Explore another Esther scroll from the Magnes Collection at the University of California, Berkeley.
View a rare Esther scroll from the Museum of Art and History of Judaism in Paris, France.
View a painting that depicts the Jewish heroine Esther, whose story provides the traditional explanation for the Jewish holiday of Purim.

Recursos para los estudiantes:

Watch a video to learn how to make hamantashen (Haman’s pocket or Haman’s hat) cookies for the festival of Purim.
Make a Purim-inspired paper mask. Making and wearing masks is a tradition on Purim.