Img. ID: 328473
The seventh text panel (cols. 12 and 13) is surrounded by bands of interlaced patterns with faded remains of the coloring.
The length of the membranes in the scroll: 1) ca. 400 mm, 2) ca. 315 mm, 3) ca. 295 mm.
Dimensions of the selected details in the scroll:
- upper and lower margins - 23 mm (height);
- a decoration between the text panels - 52x24 mm;
- a text panel (inside) - 80x52 mm;
- an average letter: 1 mm (height);
- spaces between the subsequent lines: ca. 1 mm (height);
- an average letter in col. 14: 3 mm (height).
The benediction sheet: 103x200 mm.
- an average letter: 1 mm (height);
- initial words of the benedictions: 3 mm (height);
- the axis of the ellipse containing the benedictions: ca. 63 mm long, of the adjacent ellipse - 45 mm, and the ellipse at the right edge of the sheet is ca. 25 mm. The last two ellipses are of equal size.
The roller: 300 mm (height).
The manuscript is incomplete - a small part of the last membrane is missing, therefore, it lacks a part of the last panel with its decoration on the left; its presence can be determined on the basis of another megillah decorated with the same pattern.
The beginning of the scroll is seriously damaged. The right edge of the first sheet that is trimmed into a multifoil shape is torn in a few places.
The coloring is almost invisible; originally the border was colored in green, orange, and red (?) paints.
The print on the left edge of the benediction sheet is seriously faded.
The Book of Esther in Hebrew with benedictions on a separate sheet
Scroll: The scroll is formed of 3 membranes containing 17 text columns with 22 or 23 lines, except for col. 14 with 11 lines divided into two parts. The subsequent membranes contain 6, 5, and 6 text columns. All text panels, except for panel no. 5, are double; solely panel no. 5 contains a single column (no. 9) but of double width.
The text is copied in a small Italian Hebrew square script on a flesh side of the parchment membranes, in black-brown ink.
The letter ח (Es. 1:6) is highlighted but it was obtained solely by its shape; this is the only letter ח in the scroll formed of two parts joined with a roof. The letter ת (Es. 9:29) is enlarged but not bolded. Other enlarged and diminished letters are included in col. 14.
Parchment is bright and thin; it is difficult to differentiate between both sides of the sheets. However, the blank side is a bit more shiny and yellow, whereas the side with the text and decorations is more mat and whiter.
The membranes are stitched together.
Benediction sheet: the parchment is bright, but the recto side of the sheet is whiter than the verso side which is rather yellow.
The initial word of the benedictions (ברוך) is enlarged and bolded, and clearly separated from the rest of the formulas.
The letters in the central oval are lopsided and they are of different sizes. This handwriting contrasts strongly with very professional handwriting in the adjacent oval.
None
The general layout of the decorations and the text (the text inscribed in the double panels separated by the repeating ornament, margins adorned with interlaced pattern) as well as the technique (hand-colored engraving) bear some similarities with the scrolls representing Gaster I type (for their descriptions see "Gaster I type scrolls") in the Index. It seems the scrolls could be produced in the same milieu and in a similar period.
The central ellipse in the opening decoration of the scroll could contain an inscription that is erased now.
The text is dense and rather difficult to read.
No bibliography on the scroll is available.