This Esther scroll shows strong resemblances to two other scrolls in the Rylands collection. First, the arcade design is very close to the one executed by Griselini in Hebrew MS 37<\/a>. <\/p> Decorated and illustrated with a mixed technique in which 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 II Type Esther scrolls (Metzger, 1966). At least 8 manuscripts representing this type are known.<\/p> The arcade held by columns. The columns are standing on a pedestal with a motif with flowers or precious stones. The columns, with each a different texture, have an elegant capital and on the capital stands another pedestal with a floral or decorative motif. On a pedestal on both sides of the cartouche, exactly above the two columns, stands an ornamental vase. Above the arches a balustrade with floral motifs and birds (peacocks, crowned double-headed eagles, parrots, hoopoes, etc.), and cartouches. Below the arches are the text panels. Illustrations depicting scenes from the Book of Esther are below the text in panels between the pedestals of the columns. <\/p> In addition to the tinted element in this scroll, the difference between the arcade design of Hebrew MS 37 and Gaster Hebrew MS 711 is in the cartouches between the vases. On the first one the birds on the sides were different for every arch but on this manuscript they follow a pattern: two turkeys, two cocks, two cocks, two turkeys, two turkeys, two cocks etc. In most of the circles in the middle of the cartouche, this scroll presents a crudely drawn human face whereas Hebrew MS 37 this element is missing.<\/p> The narrative scenes show strong resemblances to the ones in Gaster Hebrew MS 710<\/a>: the compositions and subject are almost exactly the same. The difference in layout is that Gaster Hebrew MS 710 has a decorated panel above and below the text, whereas this scroll only has a decorated panel below the text. The difference in the iconography is that the gallows scene under column 13 has no white dog and Mordecai under column 15 wears no ermine fur cloak. The decoration of the beginning and the end of the two scroll is also very similar. The beginning shows green tendrils, leaves, red, yellow, blue and salmon flowers. Above: a lion; right: an eagle; bottom: a lion hunting a stag; middle: a coat of arm with inscription. The ending shows green tendril motifs with red and blue flowers, with semi-circlular inscription.<\/p><\/p> 19 columns with 23 written lines. Four to six columns per membrane. Hard point ruling. No visible pricking. Original stitching.<\/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: 271 mm, width: of the membranes: 1) ca. 610 mm, 2) 690 mm, 3) 465 mm, 4) 755 mm; the overall length 2520 mm. Written height: 93 mm, width: 75 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>: illustration to Esther 1:9 the feast of Vashti. Vashti sits at the head of the table underneath a baldachin surrounded by her guests. On her right stands a group of eunuchs.
Panel 3<\/a>: illustration to Esther 1:22 showing the messengers that are sent to every province. On 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>: illustration to Esther 2:3 showing the gathering of virgins to the palace. On the left, a carriage; on the right, a group of virgins being brought into the palace of Shushan by the eunuch Hegai.
Panel 5:<\/a> illustration to Esther 2:17, 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>: 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>: 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>: illustration to Esther 4:5-6. On the right, Esther on the throne with a scepter and with Hatach in front of her receiving her orders. On the left, Hatach speaking to Mordecai in a courtyard.
Panel 9<\/a>: 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>: 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>: 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>: 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: 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>: 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>: 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>: illustration to Esther 9:5 the Jews killing their enemies with halberds and swords.
Panel 17<\/a>: 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>: illustration to Esther 9:18 showing Jews celebrating their redemption.
Panel 19<\/a>: illustration to Esther 9:29-30. On the right, Esther writing the letter of Purim. In the middle, a messenger on horseback delivering the letters. On the left, 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": "