Lot 810
19th Century Megillah. Palestine, circa 1860. In Hebrew. Black ink on leather. The Megillah consists of several pieces of leather sewn together to make a scroll, measuring a full 10 feet long. Text is 9" wide and mounted on 14" wooden pole.The text is bold and beautifully inscribed. Accompanied by The Book of Esther With Translations in Verse Form and a Presentation of Laws and Customs by Rabbi Yakov Yosef Reinman, New York, 1994. The first 35 inches of the scroll show water stains, there are a few small patches of surface abrasions throughout, and the inscription on the outside of the scroll shows obvious wear. Overall, quite choice as usually, when found, these are significantly weathered.
Celebrated for over 2000 years, Purim commemorates the heroic story of Queen Esther and Mordechai, serving as a reminder that as long as there is life, there is hope. The Megillah, a scroll inscribed with the story of Esther, is read twice during the festival of Purim, once at night and once during the day. The historic importance of Esther and the uniqueness of the book which bears her name cannot be underestimated. Esther's courage in the face of imperial power as she sought to rescue her people from wholesale slaughter and the constant, although unmentioned, presence of the hand of God makes the tale a powerful one. The stories of Jewish triumph against murderous Persian citizens, the ultimate triumph of Esther and Mordechai, and the execution of Haman together provide a dramatic finish to the story and are celebrated with feasting and merriment -- the festival of Purim. The scroll offered here appears to bear the entire story of Esther, in other words, the whole Megillah.
Estimated Value $1,500-UP.
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| Realized $863 |
