Img. ID: 348733
Sheet no. 2
The decorative scheme surrounding columns of text nos. 5-8 contains arcades that support a balustrade located in the upper margin with pairs of birds flanking the cartouches above each arch. Flower-filled vases atop each column separate these decorative illuminations. The lower margin is filled with figurative scenes that chronicle the narrative of the Book of Esther:
Illustration 5 depicts two men - Bightan and Teresh - hanged on the gallows (Es. 2:23). On the right, a building can be seen.
Illustration 6 depicts Haman standing before the king who sits on his canopied throne and gives Haman his royal signet ring (Es. 3:10).
Illustration 7 is composed of two parts. On the right, a male figure - most likely Haman - dictates the decree against the Jews to scribes seated at a table (Es. 3:12). On the left, a mounted man - the king's messenger - is shown (Es. 3:13).
Illustration 8 depicts Mordecai standing at the gate and receiving clothes from Hatach (Es. 4:4). On the right, a building is visible.
Length of the sheets in the scroll: 1) 250x510 mm, 2) 260x480 mm, 3) 260x595 mm.
Dimensions of sheets nos. 2 and 3 that are sewn together: 260x1075 mm.
A | Arch
C | Columns
V | Vase | Vase with flowers
F | Flower
O | Ornamentation: | Cartouche
E | Esther, Book of (following the order of the story) | Bigthan and Teresh hanged (Es. 2:23)
E | Esther, Book of (following the order of the story) | Ahasuerus handing his ring to Haman (Es. 3:10)
E | Esther, Book of (following the order of the story) | Scribe(s) writing Haman's decree (Es. 3:12)
E | Esther, Book of (following the order of the story) | Messenger(s) delivering the decree of Haman (Es. 3:13)
E | Esther, Book of (following the order of the story) | Mordecai receiving clothes from Hatach (Es. 4:4)
C | Cock (Hen, Rooster)
B | Bird
O | Ornamentation: | Main text framed
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The scroll is incomplete; it lacks the text from Es. 1:1-Es. 1:12 and from 8:12 until the end of the book.
The first sheet is separated from the remaining two sheets of the scroll.
The first membrane, particularly its upper margin, is preserved in very poor condition. Also, the illustrations painted on it are seriously damaged.
The edges of the second membrane are frayed.
Some parts of the text are erased.
The Book of Esther in Hebrew
The preserved part of the scroll is formed of 3 sheets containing a total of 13 columns of text with 22 lines each.
The number of columns per sheet: no. 1 - 4 columns, no. 2 - 4 columns, no. 3 - 5 columns.
The text is written in Hebrew square Italian script in black ink by two different hands.
The text and decorations are on the flesh side of the parchments.
There are numerous elongated letters in the text.
The membranes in the scroll are stitched together, but the first sheet is separated from the two remaining sheets that are sewn together.
None
Above text columns nos. 1-7, מגלת אסתר - "Megilat Esther" is inscribed.
Some details in the scroll are painted gold.
The illustrations in the scroll are not an exact copy of these illustrating the scrolls representing Gaster II type.
No bibliography on the scroll is available.