Parchment Scrolls from Abraham Firkovich’s Second Collection: History, Archaeography, and Paleography
The project is dedicated to the study of parchment scrolls collection from the Second Firkovich Collection. It is supposed to make an enhanced desciption and attribution.
This project will produce an academic article dedicated to the parchment scrolls (34 items) from the Second Collection of Abraham Firkovich, housed at the National Library of Russia. These scrolls still haven’t been studied thoroughly.
The article will explore the history of the scrolls' acquisition, offering evidence that some may, in fact, originate from the First Collection and likely come from the Crimean Peninsula. A brief description of the 34 scrolls, with conclusions regarding their archaeographical and paleographical features will be the central component of the article. Special attention will be given to colophons and various marginal notes found at the end of the scrolls. The project leader also plans to affirm authenticity of these inscriptions, and compare questionable inscriptions in the scrolls from the First Collection to those from the Second.
The study will offer new insights into medieval Jewish book culture, particularly among the Karaites, as well as into the use, dedication practices, and circulation of these scrolls within synagogue life.
The project leader is Mikhail Arsenev, PhD Student (Saint Petersburg State University) and archaeographer (Oriental Collections Sector of the Department of Manuscripts, Russian National Library).
The project is carried out with the financial support of Alexander Klyachin.
Image: Second Firkovich Collection. Parchment scrolls. N 3. A fragment. Egypt-Levant (?). 10–11th cent. Photo made by NLR.