Obj. ID: 39688 JHM Esther Scroll with a Wreath of Flowers, The Netherlands, 18th century
The length of the membranes in the scroll: 1) ca. 815 mm, 2) 810 mm, 3) 815 mm, 4) ca. 200 mm.
Dimensions of the selected details in the scroll:
- the wreath: 150x120 mm;
- an average letter: more than 2 mm;
- letters in benedictions: less than 2 mm;
- letters in the initial words of the benedictions: 4 mm;
- spaces between the lines: 6-7 mm.
The rod: ca. 200 mm (height).
In general, the manuscript is well preserved, only its opening section is slightly damaged and dirty.
The finials of the roller are not preserved.
The only decoration in the scroll is placed at its beginning. This is a printed wreath of different flowers topped with a crown that enframes the initial and final benedictions accompanying the reading of Megillah.
The scroll is mounted on a wooden rod without finials.
The Book of Esther in Hebrew with initial and final benedictions
The scroll is formed of 4 sheets containing opening benedictions + 18 columns of the text with 18 lines per each, except for col. 15 which includes 11 lines divided into two half-columns and col. 18 with 13 lines.
The number of columns per sheet: no. 1 - benedictions + 5, nos. 2 and 3 - 6, no. 4 - 1.
The text is written in Hebrew square script in black ink with tagin on the flesh side of parchment sheets that are very thick and stiff. The side of the text is slightly suede and matte, while the blank side is slightly yellow and shiny.
The letters ח (Es. 1:6) and ת (Es. 9:29) are enlarged and bolded. Other enlarged and diminished letters are included in col. 15.
The ruling - horizontal and vertical lines - is made with a hardpoint and in general, it is slightly visible. Vertical lines are more visible.
The pricking is invisible.
The sheets in the scroll are stitched together.
All four benedictions with vocalization are printed. Each formula starts with an enlarged word ברוך. The name of God is replaced with the letter ה.
None
Due to tiny holes visible on the edges of the opening section of the scroll, it can be assumed that underneath it, a piece of fabric was stitched.
A short description of the scroll and its images are available on https://data.jck.nl/page/aggregation/jhm-museum/M000415 (accessed on 7.07.2021).