Figurative scenes above and below the 7th column of the text (sheet no. 2).
The frame above the column of the text includes two scenes. On the right, Jews mourning and praying in the synagogue (Es. 4:3). On the left, Mordecai receives the clothes from Hatach and gives him a copy of the decree (Es. 4:4, 4:8).
To the left side of the frame, a flower is depicted.
The frame below the column of the text shows Ahasuerus extending the scepter to Esther (Es. 5:2). The king sits on the throne on the left, a gate with two guards is in the middle, and Esther with two maidservants comes from the right.
To the left side of the frame, possibly Judith shows the head of Holofernes (Judith 13). The inscription is illegible.
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) | Mordecai receiving clothes from Hatach (Es. 4:4)
E | Esther, Book of (following the order of the story) | Hatach before Mordecai (Es. 4:5-7)
E | Esther, Book of (following the order of the story) | Ahasuerus extending his scepter to Esther (Es. 5:2)
J | Judith, Book of | Judith holding head of Holofernes
C | Columns
F | Flower
O | Ornamentation: | Ornament
S | Synagogue
E | Esther, Book of (following the order of the story) | Esther before the king (Es. 5:2)
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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.