E | Esther, Book of (following the order of the story) | *Esther's Story Characters (depicted not in narrative scenes): | Esther, the queen
E | Esther, Book of (following the order of the story) | *Esther's Story Characters (depicted not in narrative scenes): | Mordecai, the Jew
S | Scene, unidentified
V | Vase | Vase with flowers
O | Ornamentation: | Foliate and floral ornaments
B | Buildings
O | Ornamentation: | Main text framed
|
In general, the manuscript (the text, decorations, and parchments) is well preserved.
It seems the opening decoration is not complete and lacks its part on the right-hand side.
The final part of the decoration (on the left side of the last panel) is a later addition to the scroll.
Sheet no. 1
The first three columns of text are surrounded by hand-painted floral decoration. The scenes (nos. 1-3) in the lower margins illustrate:
1. The feast of the king (Es. 1:3-8): four people are seated at the table and a servant brings dishes.
2. Two figures - most likely Esther and Mordecai as suggested by his costume (a big black hat and a long black coat).
3. Only buildings on the right can be recognized.
The Book of Esther in Hebrew
The scroll is formed of 4 sheets, in total containing 27 columns of text with 16 lines each, except for col. 23 which has 11 lines divided into two half-columns.
The number of columns of text per sheet: no. 1 - 6 columns, nos. 2 and 3 - 7 columns, no. 4 - 6 columns.
The text is written in Hebrew square Ashkenazi script with tagin in dark brown-black ink on the flesh side of parchment membranes.
The letter ח (Es. 1:6) is enlarged and decorated with scrolled feet. The letter ת (Es. 9:29) is enlarged.
It seems the ruling was done with a pencil; only vertical lines are visible.
The pricking is invisible.
The membranes of the scroll are glued together.
None
The place of the manuscript's origin - Brno - is given according to William Gross.
The text panels are of different widths.
No bibliography on the manuscript is available.