Cincinnati (USA), Hebrew Union College, Klau Library: Scrolls 65.1
Magnificient Parchment
About the Ilan
TextGrid URI of the Editiontextgrid:3wpg0
FamiliesMagnificent Parchment (Classical) ๐๏ธSearch for Ilanot in this Family
Surfaces of the Ilan
Recto
About the Manuscript
Identifiers and Titles
IdentifierCincinnati (USA), Hebrew Union College, Klau Library: Scrolls 65.1
Primary Manuscript TitlesMagnificient Parchment
ืืืจืืขื ืืืคืืืจืช
Alternative Manuscript TitlesCincinnati, HUC, Klau Library, Scrolls 65.1
Manuscript History
Origin
Date Informationca. 1500
Creation PlacesItaly
Physical Description
MaterialParchment ๐Translucent or opaque material made from calf, sheep, or goat skin which has been limed, dehaired, scraped, and dried under tension to produce a thin, strong material for writing, bookbinding, or other uses. For finer quality calf parchment, use "vellum." The terms parchment and vellum sometimes have been and still are both confused and used interchangeably. ๐๏ธSearch for Ilanot with this Material
FormRotulus ๐A roll of parchment or paper unrolled vertically for reading. ๐๏ธSearch for Ilanot with this Form
Dimensions Description156 ร 46
Content Description
SummaryCincinnati, HUC, Klau Library, Scrolls 65.1 appears to be the earliest witness of a family of large manuscript rotuli ("ilanot") to which we have given the name "The Magnificent Parchment." Only one witness (London, BL, Ms. Or. 6465) carries a colophon, dating it to 1556. The original Magnificent Parchment was likely crafted ca. 1500 in northern Italy. This family of manuscripts is distinguished by its grand scale, its graphical richness, and its 33,000-word anthological text. Klau Library Scrolls 65.1 is a luxury manuscript, meaning that it was likely produced on commission for a wealthy patron. It is among the most richly decorated to have reached us, with illuminations and diagrams in green, red, and brown. Unfortunately, much of this coloring is faded and worn; text written on colored backgrounds are now largely illegible. The outer ring of the zodiac has degree markings, a feature found on no other witness. Overall, especially from a decorative standpoint, this witness seems to have the greatest affinity to Uppsala University Library MS O Hebr. 33:3, though the latter appends two additional ilanot beneath the zodiac.
Further Information
Research LiteratureJ. H. Chajes, The Kabbalistic Tree (University Park: Pennsylvania State University Press, 2022), 69โ70.
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