Img. ID: 341439
The first illustration (between the 1st and the 2nd column of the text, on sheet no. 1) depicts King Ahasuerus standing tall, wearing an opulent green garment, and facing the reader. There are two smaller figures on either side of him, potentially representing different nations within his empire - India (Hodu) and Ethiopia (Kush). It is labeled הוא אחשורוש המלך מהודו ועד כוש ("this is Ahasuerus who reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia" - Es. 1:1).
E | Esther, Book of (following the order of the story) | Ahasuerus as the king over 127 provinces (Es. 1:1)
E | Esther, Book of (following the order of the story) | *Esther's Story Characters (depicted not in narrative scenes): | Ahasuerus, the king
O | Ornamentation: | Initial word, decorative
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The scroll is preserved in very good condition.
The Book of Esther in Hebrew
The printed text in the scroll does not feature the scribal practices of hand-written Esther scrolls.
Each column starts with a large decorated word. Additionally, there are some words printed in larger letters than the rest of the text.
The paper sheets of the scroll are glued together.
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Another number of the scroll: 2001/0551/01, 02.
Some examples of megillat Esther illustrated with the same drawings by Zvi Livni (Malabenchik) but in a form of a Leporello book are extant too. For another copy sharing the same ornamentation see "Related objects".
The illustration depicting the triumph of Mordecai (Es. 6:11) is not represented in the images of this scroll in the Index, but it is in the scroll; for this illustration in another copy see ID 33782.
The images of the scroll are available on https://collections.jewishmuseum.cz/index.php/Detail/Object/Show/object_id/221890 (accessed on 12.11.2020).