Calligraphed genealogical tree plaque (Megillat Yohasin)

This scroll or tablet (Megillat Yohasin) traces the lineage of a family, sometimes reaching back to prestigious lineages or biblical figures, in a calligraphed and ornamented form. Genealogy has always occupied an important place in Jewish culture, whether in the transmission of priestly status, ties to learned families, or the prestige attached to an illustrious ancestry. These calligraphed documents adorned the home and publicly attested the family's lineage, combining memorial function with decorative value. An object of family memory, the genealogical tree illustrates the importance of transmission and lineage in the Jewish world.