SASSOON: A Golden Legacy
SASSOON: A Golden Legacy
A PARCEL-GILT SILVER ESTHER SCROLL CASE, PROBABLY BAGHDAD, MID 19TH CENTURY
Auction Closed
December 17, 05:06 PM GMT
Estimate
12,000 - 18,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
A PARCEL-GILT SILVER ESTHER SCROLL CASE, PROBABLY BAGHDAD, MID 19TH CENTURY
octagonal tik form, chased with alternating panels of strapwork and trailing flowers, domed top with carnelian bead finial, bamboo-look handle, pull panel replaced; fitted with a scroll of Esther, ink on parchment, with illuminated floral opening panel decorated with rosettes, and decorated floral bar borders between each column of text
length 8 1/4 in.; 21 cm
height of scroll 3 1/4 in.; 8.2 cm
Given its date, this piece most likely belonged to one of the sons of David Sassoon.
The tradition of decorating Esther scrolls flourished in Europe from the 16th century and the custom spread to North Africa and the Middle East beginning in the 19th century. This scroll opens with a richly colored initial panel embellished with floral motifs and the design of the panel draws upon similar imagery found in Islamic book arts of the period. This parcel gilt case adorned with delicate floral engravings is typical of megillah cases crafted in Baghdad, but the artistically embellished scroll is one of only a small number of 19th century decorated Esther scrolls from this once important center of Jewish life.