Similarly to Gaster Hebrew MS 711<\/a>, this scroll is decorated and illustrated with a mixed technique in which the decorative border is printed as copper engraving and coloured by hand. The engravings were made by leaving the lines of the block empty instead of filling them with ink. When it was printed on the parchment, the design left only faint lines that were created by the pressure on the parchment when it went through the printing press. The decorations and illustrations were then coloured in with a brush and the faint lines were traced with a black pen.<\/p> Mendel Metzger classified a group of Esther scrolls based on the decoration of this manuscript: Gaster I Type Esther scrolls (Metzger, 1966).<\/p> The scroll starts with marginal drawings of three running lions with foliage motifs painted in red and green. The rest of the scroll is divided in square enframed text columns. The frame is wider on the sides and shows red and green painted floral motifs, the top and bottom of the frame are narrow and have small circles. Above and below the text columns are panels with an illustration from the Esther story. The illustrated panels are separated from each other by a knot motif painted in blue, red and green. The scroll ends with marginal red flower motifs and green tendrils with a decorated pillar.<\/p> The illustrations of the scroll often show 2 or 3 different scenes in one panel, as a 17th cartoon story. The reason for this is that the illustrations were limited to the narrow upper and lower tier of the scroll because the middle was needed for the text. Because of the lack of space, as many scenes as possible were depicted in the illustrations.<\/p><\/p> 20 columns, of which two constitute a text panel, with 23 written lines. Membrane I: 3 panels, 6 columns; membrane II: 4 panels, 8 columns; membrane 3: 2 panels, 4 columns; membrane 4: 1 panel, 2 columns. Hard point bordering. Ruling not visible. Original stitching visible between membranes 1 and 2.<\/p>"
},
{
"label": "Funding",
"value": ""
},
{
"label": "Date of Creation",
"value": "2nd half of the 17th century"
},
{
"label": "Origin Place",
"value": "Italy (Venice?)"
},
{
"label": "Origin",
"value": " Produced in Italy (Venice?) in the 2nd half of the 17th century.<\/p>"
},
{
"label": "Script",
"value": " Revised by Zsófia Buda.<\/p>"
},
{
"label": "Alternative Title(s)",
"value": "Megilat Ester; מגילת אסתר"
},
{
"label": "Language(s)",
"value": "Hebrew"
},
{
"label": "Physical Location",
"value": "The John Rylands Library"
},
{
"label": "Extent",
"value": "4 membranes, 19 columns Leaf height: 172 mm, width: of the sheets in the scroll: 1) ca. 500 mm, 2) 510 mm, 3) ca. 275 mm, 4) 205 mm; overall length 1490 mm. Written height: 70-75 mm, width: 49-53 mm."
},
{
"label": "Excerpts",
"value": " 17th-century Esther scroll with tinted engraved illustrations, produced in Italy.<\/p>"
},
{
"label": "Collection",
"value": "Hebrew Manuscripts"
},
{
"label": "Bibliography",
"value": "
Panel 2<\/a> (below the first pair of text columns): illustration to Esther 1:9 showing the feast of Vashti. The image mirrors the scene above: Vashti seated at the head of the table underneath a baldachin surrounded by her guests.
Panel 3<\/a> (above the second pair of text columns): illustration to Esther 1:22 showing the messengers that are sent to every province. n the right Ahasuerus on his throne with messengers in front of him. On the left, two messengers riding on horseback towards a city.
Panel 4<\/a> (below the second pair of text columns): illustration 2:3 showing the gathering of virgins to the palace. On the left is a carriage full of virgins. The right shows a group of virgins being brought into the palace of Shushan by eunuchs.
Panel 5<\/a> (above the third pair of text columns: showing Esther's coronation (Esther 2:17). Esther kneels before enthroned king Ahasuerus while he puts a crown upon her head. Guests seated on benches on both sides of the throne.
Panel 6<\/a> (below the third pair of text columns: illustration to Esther 2:21 and 3:1. On the right, Mordecai at the king\u2019s gate overhearing the plot of Bigthan and Teresh. On the left, Ahasuerus promoting Haman.
Panel 7<\/a> (above the fourth pair of text columns: illustration to Esther 3:12 and 4:4. On the right, scribes writing what Haman has commanded. On the left, Mordecai in the city gate and Esther in the courtyard hearing the news.
Panel 8<\/a> (below the fourth pair of text columns: illustration to Esther 4:5-6. On the right side Esther sits on the throne with a scepter and Hatach stands in front of her, receiving her command. On the left Hatach speaking to Mordecai in a courtyard.
Panel 9<\/a> (above the fifth pair of text columns: illustration to Esther 5:2 and 5:6. On the right, Ahasuerus on his throne with Esther kneeling before him; he reaches the scepter to her and she touches it. On the left, Esther, Haman and Ahasuerus at the banquet.
Panel 10<\/a> (below the fifth pair of text columns: illustration to Esther 5:14 and 6:1. On the right, Haman and his wife Zeresh and a third figure in discussion and the gallows in the courtyard. On the left Ahasuerus in bed listening to the chronicles.
Panel 11<\/a> (above the sixth pair of text columns: illustration to Esther 6:6 and 6:11. On the right, Haman standing before Ahasuerus in the throne room. On the left, Mordecai on horseback escorted by Haman. A Midrashic element is also depicted: Haman\u2019s daughter leans out of the window and throws filth over her father\u2019s head as he passes by.
Panel 12<\/a> (below the sixth pair of text columns: illustration to Esther 7:2, 7:8 and 7:9. On the right, Esther\u2019s second banquet with Haman and Ahasuerus. In the middle, Haman having fallen on the floor is begging for mercy (not on her bed as in the text). On the left, the king speaking with Harbonah in the courtyard.
Panel 13<\/a> (above the seventh pair of text columns: illustration to Esther 7:10 and 8:1. On the right: Haman hanging from the gallows. On the left, Mordecai before the enthroned Ahasuerus touching the king's scepter.
Panel 14<\/a> (below the seventh pair of text columns: illustration to Esther 8:5, 8:9 and 8:14. On the right, Esther before Ahasuerus asking him to annul Haman\u2019s decree. Behind them the scribes writing the new decree. On the left, a composition that is the same as the one underneath the third column. It shows the messengers on horseback riding towards a city. It mirrors the decree of Haman being spread which is now being replaced by another decree.
Panel 15<\/a> (above the eighth pair of text columns: illustration to Esther 8:15-16. On the right, Mordecai in front of Ahasuerus. In the centre, Jews cutting down their enemies. On the left, the Jews of Shushan celebrating.
Panel 16<\/a> (below the eighth pair of text columns: illustration to Esther 9:5 the Jews killing their enemies with halberds and swords.
Panel 17<\/a> (above the ninth pair of text columns: illustration to Esther 9:7-12. On the right, Esther kneeling before Ahasuerus, pleading for Haman\u2019s ten sons to be hung on the gallows. On the left, Haman's sons hanging from the gallows.
Panel 18<\/a> (below the ninth pair of text columns: illustration to Esther 9:18 showing Jews celebrating their redemption.
Panel 19<\/a> (above the tenth pair of text columns: illustration to Esther 9:29. On the right, Esther writing the letter of Purim. On the left, a messenger on horseback delivering the letters.
Panel 20<\/a> (below the tenth pair of text columns: contemporary Purim celebrations, with music and dancing.
<\/div>
"
},
{
"label": "Acquisition",
"value": "Acquired by The John Rylands Library from the heirs of Moses Gaster in 1954."
},
{
"label": "Title",
"value": "Esther scroll"
},
{
"label": "Layout",
"value": "