Figurative scenes above and below the 10th column of the text:
The frame above the column of the text includes three scenes. On the right, Haman is warned by Zeresh and his friends (Es. 6:13). In the center, Esther's second banquet with Ahasuerus and Haman is shown (Es. 7:1). On the right, two people (apparently angels) are cutting down trees in the palace gardens and the king looks at them (based on Bab. Talmud, Megillah 16a).
On the left side of the frame, a vase is depicted.
The frame below the column of the text includes three scenes. On the right, Ahasuerus returns from the palace gardens at the moment when Haman is falling on Esther's bed (Es. 7:8). In the center, Haman is hanged (Es. 7:10). On the right, Ahasuesrus gives his ring to Mordecai (Es. 8:2).
On the left side of the frame, a menorah is depicted.
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) | Esther's second banquet (Es. 7:1)
E | Esther, Book of (following the order of the story) | Angels cutting down trees in the palace garden (based on Bab. Talmud, Megillah 16a)
E | Esther, Book of (following the order of the story) | Ahasuerus returns from the palace garden (Es. 7:8)
E | Esther, Book of (following the order of the story) | Haman falling on Esther's bed (Es. 7:8)
E | Esther, Book of (following the order of the story) | Haman hanged (Es. 7:10)
E | Esther, Book of (following the order of the story) | Ahasuerus gives his ring to Mordecai (Es. 8:2)
M | Moses | Moses at the burning bush
M | Menorah
F | Flower
V | Vase
C | Columns
O | Ornamentation: | Ornament
|
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.