Obj. ID: 36104
Hebrew Illuminated Manuscripts  BNE Esther Scroll with Decorative Sections' Headings, USA or Israel, mid-20th century

The modern Esther scroll adorned with enlarged and ornamented words: the initial word of the Book Esther (ויהי), words המלך appearing at the head of the columns, and word בני that opens col. 14 (the text is copied in ha-melekh layout). The letters in them are significantly larger than the letters in which the Book of Esther is inscribed. Additionally, these enlarged words are painted in different colors and embellished with a unique floral design; besides it, the initial word in the scroll is decorated with a crown. Their size together with the bright colors of the floral decoration make a strong contrast with the text penned in an intensely black ink.

The scroll is housed in a cylindrical case of embossed silver with a crank. It is adorned with an elaborate pattern composed of a menorah, vase with flowers, bouquets of flowers, and ornate shields with a criss-cross. A silver pull bar is stitched to the right edge of the first membrane.