[Two illustrations from Book of Esther].

Format:

Book

Manuscript

Contributor:

Karp, Abraham J., former owner.

Abraham J. and Deborah Karp Collection of Judaica (University of Pennsylvania)

Language:

No linguistic content

Subjects (All):

Xerxes I, King of Persia, 519 B.C.-465 B.C. or 464 B.C--Art.

Xerxes.

Mordecai (Biblical figure)--Art.

Mordecai.

Haman (Biblical figure)--Art.

Haman.

Haman (Biblical figure).

Mordecai (Biblical figure).

Xerxes I, King of Persia, 519 B.C.-465 B.C. or 464 B.C.

Bible. Esther.

Purim.

History.

History of Biblical events.

Susa (Extinct city)--Art.

Susa (Extinct city).

Bible. Esther--History of Biblical events--Art.

Bible.

Purim--Germany--History--Sources.

Purim--Netherlands--History--Sources.

Netherlands.

Germany.

Genre:

Pen and ink drawings.

Manuscripts, European.

Sources.

Art.

Penn Provenance:

Formerly in the collection of Rabbi Dr. Abraham J. Karp.

Physical Description:

1 leaf : parchment, illustrations ; 210 x 73

Place of Publication:

[Germany or Netherlands], [between 1650 and 1750]

Summary:

This is a parchment leaf containing two crosshatched drawings illustrating scenes from the Book of Esther. The upper drawing, taken from Esther 6:1-11, shows Ahasuerus (known in Esther as Aḥashṿerosh, believed to be Xerxes I, King of Persia) sitting on the throne, agitated and unable to sleep, with the bearer of the royal records consulting the royal debts (therefore depicted holding a large volume), while Ahasuerus directs Haman to lead Mordecai upon the royal horse while he wears a crown; Haman and Mordecai with the horse are seen in a smaller drawing at the top right, riding in the streets of Susa (this drawing is unfinished). The lower scene shows Hatach, a royal eunuch, bringing Mordecai a message from Queen Esther; Mordecai sits in mourning at the King's Gate (of Susa), dressed in sackcloth (see Esther 4:1-2)."Fragment of an Esther scroll" written in pencil on verso.

Notes:

Ms. leaf.

Title supplied by cataloger.

Decoration: Two illustrations, each in portrait format, one above the other; each is shown above a cartouche, both blank (these were meant for scribe of the Megillah to write the verses depicted in the illustration); floral vignette on verso, contemporary to the manuscript.

Origin: Created in Germany or Netherlands, between 1650 and 1750; this was once part of a Megillah (Scroll of Esther; typically, illuminations were placed at the beginning of the scroll, or at the beginning of the membrane with the illustrated verses).

Cited as:

UPenn Karp BIII.6a.

OCLC:

1266173793