Esther scroll. [Italy, ca. late 18th century or early 19th century].
Sephardi script, on deerskin, processing typical of Italy. 16 lines per column. Rolled on a wooden roller.
Initials of the name of the scribe or of the owner who ordered the scroll head the columns. The words "Mordechai the son" are stressed in the verse "In Shushan the citadel there was a Jew whose name was Mordecai the son of Yair…", and each column thereafter opens with a stressed letter. The initials compose the name "Mordechai son of Moshe Frances" and the Hebrew letters "Heh, Aleph and Yud" (May G-d guard him?). All these letters are enlarged and stressed with an illustration of a finger pointing to the letter (manicule).
Height of parchment: 20 cm. Fair condition. Stains, creases and wear. Open tear to the center of the first column, repaired. Breaks to wooden roller.
Two late parchment with the blessings recited upon reading the megillah are enclosed.