Esther Scroll in Elaborate Silver Case with Original Outer Case – Sephardic Community in Vienna, Late 19th Century - Small-format Esther scroll, placed in silver case with original outer case. Vienna, late 19th century, dedicatory inscription dated 1892. Ink on parchment; silver, turned, embossed, repoussé and engraved (with Austro-Hungarian standard mark, in use 1886-1922, and maker's mark ”JZ”, perhaps Joseph Zima); gilt; cardboard, fabric and leather. Esther scroll in HaMelech format (most columns begin with the word HaMelech), written on 3 high-quality parchment sheets sewn together, 13 text columns, 22 lines per column, with Tagim and decorations over HaMelech at tops of columns. The scroll is placed in a cylindrical silver case alternately decorated with diagonal gilt strips of acanthus leaves, smooth strips with hatched lines and narrower strips of leaves with flowers. At the center of the case is a shield-like frame with the name of the owner of the scroll and year engraved: ”Refael Moshe Asseo, 5652 [1892]” , apparently a member of the Sephardic community of Vienna who arrived from the Ottoman Empire. At the top of the case is a crown-shaped decoration topped by a floral ornament. Large, angled roller, in vegetal pattern. Smooth rectangular silver pull bar, with small revolving handle (for locking) stylized as an oyster. The case is housed in a designated high-quality outer case, with interior coated in purple felt and exterior coated in leather, with two hinges and two clasps. Height of parchment: 11.5 cm. Height of case: 30.5 cm. Maximum width: 7 cm. Height of leather case: 31.5 cm. Width: 8 cm. Overall good condition. A few stains and creases to scroll. Wear and rubbing to interior and exterior case coating.