Figurative scenes above and below the second column of the text (sheet no. 1).
The upper oval includes two scenes: the beheading of naked Vashti (not mentioned in the Book of Esther) in the center and Memucan who advises the king regarding the fate of Vashti on the left (Es. 1:19).
On the left side of the oval, Adam and Eve are depicted lying under the Tree of Knowledge with a twisted serpent on its trunk (Genesis 3:4-5 (?)).
The lower oval includes two scenes: two scribes are writing the king's decree (Es. 1:20) on the right and two mounted messengers delivering the decree are riding to the left (Es. 1:22).
On the left side of the oval, two dreams of Joseph are depicted (Genesis 37:7-9). Joseph reclines in the bed, while the sun, moon, and stars are seen above him. In the second circle, there are sheaves of grain.
The length of the sheets in the scroll: 1) ca. 775 mm, 2) 735 mm, 3) 445 mm.
Dimensions of the selected details in the scroll:
- text column: ca. 142x90 mm;
- decorative columns between the columns of the text: ca. 160x15-20 mm;
- illustration: 35 x ca. 85 mm;
- an average letter: 3 mm;
- spaces between the lines of the text: 3 mm.
There is some blank space at the beginning (ca. 110 mm) and the end (ca. 75 mm) of the scroll.
E | Esther, Book of (following the order of the story) | Memucan advises the king regarding the fate of Vashti (Es. 1:19)
E | Esther, Book of (following the order of the story) | Scribes write the king's decree (Es. 1:20)
A | Adam and Eve
E | Eden, Garden of | Tree of Knowledge | Tree of Knowledge with snake
J | Jacob | Jacob's dream (Ladder and angels)
J | Joseph | Joseph's dreams
C | Columns
V | Vase | Vase with flowers
J | Joseph | Joseph's dreams | Eleven stars, sun and moon
O | Ornamentation: | Ornament
E | Esther, Book of (following the order of the story) | Ahasuerus' messenger(s) (Es. 1:22)
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The Book of Esther in Hebrew
The scroll is formed of 3 sheets containing 15 columns of the text with 26 or 27 lines, except for col. 13 with 11 lines divided into two parts.
Sheets nos. 1 and 2 contain 6 columns of the text, and the third sheet contains 3 columns.
The text is inscribed in the Hebrew square Italian script with tagim, in dark brown ink, on the flesh side of parchment sheets that are bright, of medium thickness, and rather stiff. The blank side of the sheets is very dark.
Tagin seem to be marked in darker ink than the text was written.
The letter ח (Es. 1:6) is marked by its form - it is composed of two parts joined with a roof. The letter ת (Es. 9:29) is enlarged. Other enlarged and diminished letters are included in col. 13.
The ruling was possibly drawn with a pencil along with the whole sheet.
The membranes in the scroll are stitched.
None
Originally some details could be painted in gold.
The paints' shades are not the same on all membranes.