“The Scroll of Esther of the XVIIth Century: Baroque Luxury and a Jewish Shrine from the Collection of the Kyiv Cave Monastery”

Discover the unique 17th-century Scroll of Esther, which impresses with its baroque opulence and deep spiritual meaning. This work of art, written in Hebrew, impresses not only with its craftsmanship, but also with the story behind each line. The relief composition on the case, depicting an old man on a horse and a young man, adds a special charm. Explore the details of this unique artefact, which is kept in the Kyiv Cave Monastery National Reserve, and learn more about its significance in the cultural heritage of Ukraine.

“The 17th-century Scroll of Esther, written in ink in five columns in Hebrew, each column has 15 lines, with a composition consisting of an old man sitting on a horse and a young man holding the horse’s bridle engraved in relief on the case. The composition is framed by a baroque ornament.

Silver, vellum, minting, gilding.

Scroll dimensions: height 20.5 cm and diameter 4 cm, scroll dimensions: length 60.5 cm, width 9.8 cm.

Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve Kyiv, Ukraine.

Picture of Oleg Margolin

Oleg Margolin