Double columns of text written on the first three sheets in the scroll are surrounded by printed frames composed of supporters, putti, architectonic elements, masks, animals, and garlands. In the image, cols. 1-5 can be seen.
The border of the first sheet is almost invisible but it can be assumed this is the same border as printed on the ninth membrane; originally it was used for the letter F. The next two membranes are adorned with letters O (sheet no. 2) and P (sheet no. 3).
Membrane no. 10: 285 mm (length).
The roller: 290 mm (height).
P | Putto (Putti in Plural)
H | Heraldic composition | Supporters
O | Ostrich
M | Mask
O | Ornamentation: | Architectonic motif
D | Dog
G | Garland
|
The beginning of the scroll is poorly preserved; the blank side of the sheet is very dark.
The edges are not straight and there is some dirt on them.
On the last sheet, traces of bark beetles can be seen.
The paints in the manuscript have been preserved in different conditions
The original roller lacks a part of its finial.
The Book of Esther in Hebrew
The scroll is formed of 10 sheets (9 of them are original and 1 is new), in total containing 18 columns of text with 23 lines each, except for col. 15 which has 11 lines divided into two half-columns.
Each membrane contains 2 columns of text.
The text is written in Hebrew square Italian script with tagin in dark brown ink on parchment membranes.
The letter ת (Es. 9:29) is slightly larger than an average letter in the scroll. Other enlarged and diminished letters are included in col. 15.
The ruling is made with a hard point and is barely visible.
The pricking is invisible.
The membranes in the scroll are stitched together and resewn with thin parchment slips.
None
The engravings adorning the scroll were originally created to enframe decorative letters in the manual of the Latin alphabet calligraphy Il perfetto scrittore by Francesco Giovanni Cresci, printed in Rome in 1570.
Another scroll decorated with printed borders by Marelli is stored in the Klau Library at the Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati (manuscript no. 1 (IX.6)); it is available on https://mss.huc.edu/manuscripts/esther-scroll-ix-6/ accessed on 2.09.2021). Yet another exemplar was sold at the Christie's at auction 2537: Silver, Judaica, Russian Works of Art and Objects of Vertu on 18th June 2002, lot 389 (https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-highly-important-and-rare-16th-century-italian-3932181/? accessed on 2.09.2021).
Some details could be originally painted gold.
The manuscript is stored in a box (see image ID 355972).
The previous owner, Hayim Montaggio, presented it to the British Museum in 1895.
Eva Frojmovic, The «Perfect Scribe» and an Early Engraved Esther Scroll, „The British Library Journal” 23 (1997), pp. 68‒80.
The description of the manuscript and its images are available on https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/megilat-ester-or-13028 (accessed 2.09.2021).
Original calligraphic letters by Marelli are available on https://collections.vam.ac.uk (accessed 2.09.2021).