HebrewPal - Hebrew Palaeography Album

Specimens
Graphic Elements
Item Images
Items
Scribes
Diplomatics
{...} API

Collapse

Vatican MS. Urb. Ebr. 41: 1r-2v

Image
Details
Graphic Elements (10)
Specimens (1)

Image

Item Image

Item

Vatican MS. Urb. Ebr. 41

Collection

Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana (Vatican, Vatican)

Image Name / Folio Number

1r-2v

Graphic Element

NameLetter - #56969 HandVatican MS. Urb. Ebr. 41: Main text scribe - Square TypeLetter LetterAleph DuctusTraced with 4 movements General Shape

Square
Vertically rectangular

Components & Features Main oblique stroke

traced with one stroke
reaches the headline
reaches the baseline
straight

Left-hand downstroke

does not join the main oblique stroke
descends from below the headline
reaches the baseline
rounded
curved with a knee
with a serif

Right arm

joins the main oblique stroke
joins the main stroke in its upper part
slanted
straight
with a roof

Roof on the right arm

traced as a separate movement from the right arm
placed centrally
angular juncture with the right arm
slanted
straight

Serifs

additional stroke
pointing downwards

NameLetter - #56980 HandVatican MS. Urb. Ebr. 41: Main text scribe - Square TypeLetter LetterHe DuctusTraced with 3 movements General Shape

Square

Components & Features Upper bar

parallel to the headline
straight

Right-hand downstroke

traced as a separate movement from the upper bar
rounded juncture with the upper bar
juncture with the upper bar has a butt
ends level with the left-hand downstroke
perpendicular to the baseline
reaches the baseline
straight

Left-hand downstroke

traced as a separate movement from the right-hand downstroke
separate from the upper bar
ends level with the right-hand downstroke
slanted
reaches the baseline
straight

NameLetter - #56981 HandVatican MS. Urb. Ebr. 41: Main text scribe - Square TypeLetter LetterVav DuctusTraced with 2 movements Components & Features Downstroke

perpendicular to the baseline
reaches the baseline
straight
with a head

Head

traced with the same movement as the downstroke
placed to the left
angular juncture with the downstroke
slanted
straight

NameLetter - #56974 HandVatican MS. Urb. Ebr. 41: Main text scribe - Square TypeLetter LetterKaph DuctusTraced with 2 movements General Shape

Square
Vertically rectangular

Components & Features Upper bar

parallel to the headline
parallel to the base
shorter than the base
straight

Right-hand downstroke

traced as a separate movement from the upper bar
rounded juncture with the upper bar
slanted
straight

Base

traced with the same movement as the right-hand downstroke
rounded juncture with the right-hand downstroke
parallel to the baseline
parallel to the upper bar
longer than the upper bar
straight
turns downwards on the left

NameLetter - #56979 HandVatican MS. Urb. Ebr. 41: Main text scribe - Square TypeLetter LetterLamed DuctusTraced with 3 movements General Shape

Vertically rectangular

Components & Features Ascender

perpendicular to the headline
longer than the height of the line of writing
straight
no flag

Horizontal bar

traced as a separate movement from the ascender
rounded juncture with the ascender
parallel to the headline
placed on the headline
straight

Downstroke

traced as a separate movement from the horizontal bar
attached to the horizontal bar
angular juncture with the horizontal bar
reaches the baseline
slanted
rounded

NameLetter - #56977 HandVatican MS. Urb. Ebr. 41: Main text scribe - Square TypeLetter LetterMem DuctusTraced with 3 movements General Shape

Square

Components & Features Right-hand downstroke

rounded juncture with the left-hand stroke at the headline
reaches the baseline
slanted to the left
rounded

Base

traced with the same movement as the right-hand downstroke
rounded juncture with the right-hand downstroke
long: almost joins the left-hand stroke
parallel to the baseline
straight

Left-hand downstroke

traced as a separate movement from the right-hand downstroke
rounded juncture with the right-hand stroke
does not reach the baseline
rounded

Left arm

traced as a separate movement from the left-hand downstroke
joins the left-hand downstroke in its upper part
slanted
reaches the headline
straight
no roof

NameLetter - #56978 HandVatican MS. Urb. Ebr. 41: Main text scribe - Square TypeLetter LetterNun DuctusTraced with 2 movements Components & Features Downstroke

equal to the height of the line of writing
reaches the baseline
perpendicular to the baseline
straight
with a head

Base

traced with the same movement as the downstroke
longer than the head
rounded juncture with the downstroke
parallel to the baseline
straight
turns downwards at the left end

Head

traced as a separate movement from the downstroke
placed to the left
rounded juncture with the downstroke
slanted
not parallel to the base
straight

NameLetter - #56972 HandVatican MS. Urb. Ebr. 41: Main text scribe - Square TypeLetter LetterNun: final DuctusTraced with 2 movements Components & Features Descender

longer than the height of the line of writing
slanted to the left \
straight
with a head

Head

traced as a separate movement from the descender
placed to the left
angular juncture with the descender
slanted
straight

NameLetter - #56975 HandVatican MS. Urb. Ebr. 41: Main text scribe - Square TypeLetter LetterResh DuctusTraced with 2 movements Components & Features Upper bar

parallel to the headline
straight

Right-hand downstroke

traced as a separate movement from the upper bar
angular juncture with the upper bar
reaches the baseline
perpendicular to the baseline
straight

NameLetter - #56970 HandVatican MS. Urb. Ebr. 41: Main text scribe - Square TypeLetter LetterShin/Sin DuctusTraced with 6 movements General Shape

Square

Components & Features Right arm

traced as a separate movement from the left arm
forms a base
slanted
top is lower than the top of the left arm
straight
with a roof

Roof on the right arm

traced as a separate movement from the arm
placed to the left
angular juncture with the arm
slanted
straight

Base

there is a base
traced with the same movement as the right arm
rounded juncture with the right arm
parallel to the baseline
straight

Left arm

traced as a separate movement from the right arm
joins the right arm/base above the baseline
goes below the juncture with the right arm forming a tail
slanted
top is higher than the top of the right arm
rounded
with a roof

Roof on the left arm

traced as a separate movement from the arm
placed to the left
angular juncture with the arm
slanted
straight

Middle stroke

traced as a separate movement from the left arm
joins the arms/base
joins the juncture between the left arm and the right arm/base
slanted to the right /
rounded
with a roof

Roof on the middle stroke

traced as a separate movement from the middle stroke
placed to the left
angular juncture with the middle stroke
slanted
straight

Annotate

Graphic Element

Specimen

If the Specimen doesn't appear in the above options, please add a new Specimen before continuing

Type

Abbreviation Other Abbreviation Observations

Decorations

(OLD DECORATIONS)

Geometrical micrography

Figurative microcraphy

Carmina figurata layout

Carpet page

Historiated letter

Zoomorphic letter

Anthropomorphic letter

Decorated panel

Decorated initial

Decorated section marker

Penwork decoration

Colour decoration

Letter outline

Acanthus

Heraldry

Ivy

Animals

Dragons

Gymnastic initials

Fantastic beasts

Arabesque

Bas-de-page images

Bar border

Flourish work border

Foliated border

Inhabited border

Guilding

Cadel

Diaper ground

Red and blue diaper

Blank figure on coloured background

Purple diaper

Stain glass diaper

Tendrils diaper

Display script

Grotesque

Fretwork

Drollery

Litterae notabiliores

Litterae florissae

Interlace

Solomon's knot

Pentagramme

Sexagramme

Outline drawing

Multicoloured letter

Alternate coloured letters in a word

Rinceaux

Rosette

Palmette

Tabula ansata

Diagram: halakha

Diagram: kabbala

Diagram: medicine

Diagram: sciences

(Other)

Format and Location

Carpet page

Miniature

Decorated initial word/letter

Marginal image/border decoration

Section markers and other signs

Line fillers

Diagram

Decorated colophon

Masorah magna

Decorated catchword

Other (please specify)

Technique and Medium

Gilding (gold or silver)

Full painting

Light wash

Spare ground painting in ink

Penwork drawing

Carmina figurata

Micrography

Other (please specify)

Colour Palette

Gold

Silver

White

Lilac

Orange

Pink

Green

Yellow

Teal

Blue

Red

Brown

Black

Grey

Other (please specify)

Figural Pictorial Content: Architecture

Doorway

Gable

Crenelation

Tower

Arcade

Window

Pinnacle

Pillar

Caryatid figure

Other (please specify)

Figural Pictorial Content: Interior Scene

Scenes of prayer and worship

Scenes of festive meals

Scenes of betrothal and marriage

Scenes of circumcision

Scenes of study and discussion

Scenes of music-making and dancing

Scenes of work

Scenes of mourning

Other (please specify)

Figural Pictorial Content: Exterior Scene

Scenes of hunting

Scenes of travel

Scenes of jousting and other martial games

Scenes of battle

Scenes of agricultural work

Other (please specify)

Figural Pictorial Content: Zodiac Signs

Aries

Taurus

Gemini

Cancer

Leo

Virgo

Libra

Scorpio

Sagittarius

Capricorn

Aquarius

Pisces

Other (please specify)

Figural Pictorial Content: Human Figures

Biblical

Mishnaic/talmudic

Contemporary (medieval)

Body parts only (please specify in observations box)

Unidentified

Figural Pictorial Content: Quadruped Animals

Lion

Dog (talbot)

Dog (greyhound)

Dog (generic)

Rabbit/hare

Stag/hind

Elephant

Horse

Cattle

Sheep

Camel

Donkey

Monkey

Wolf

Leopard

Fox

Boar

Bear

Frog

Squirrel

Other (please specify)

Unidentified

Figural Pictorial Content: Imaginary Creatures

Dragon

Unicorn

Siren

Centaur

Griffin

Wild man

Other hybrids (please specify in observations box)

Other non-hybrids (please specify in observations box)

Unidentified

Figural Pictorial Content: Birds

Eagle

Stork/crane

Falcon/hawk, and other hunting birds

Owl

Chicken

Peacock

Small birds (please specify in observations box)

Other (please specify)

Unidentified

Figural Pictorial Content: Foliage

Trefoils, round or pointed

Acanthus

Palmettes

Oak leaves (with/without acorns)

Heart-shaped leaves

Rosettes

Fleurs-de-lis

Fruits/pine cones

Knobs

Other (please specify)

Figural Pictorial Content: Everyday Objects

Shields and other objects featuring heraldic designs

Keys

Scissors

Articles of clothing, headwear or footwear

Ladders

Musical instruments

Axes, knives, swords, non-heraldic shields and bucklers

Food and drink, and implements for eating and drinking

Other (please specify)

Figural Pictorial Content: Other

Temple implements

Landscape

Angels

Demons

Fish

Insects

Leopard mask

Trees

Non-Figural Pictorial Content: Letter Decoration

Gilt letters

Zoomorphic/Anthropomorphic letters

Filled letters: animal, hybrid or human motifs

Filled letters: vegetal motifs

Filled letters: knotwork and interlace

Inhabited letters

Letters with geometric patterning (including chequered, striped, chevron or other patterns)

Letters with foliate finials

Letters with scalloped outlines

Letters in alternating colours

Other (please specify)

Non-Figural Pictorial Content: Background Decoration (Penwork)

Palmettes

Tendrils

Non-figural swirls/spirals

Hatching/Cross-hatching

Wavy lines

Groups of three dots

Other (please specify)

Non-Figural Pictorial Content: Background Decoration (Coloured)

Chequered background

Lozenged background

Diapered background (with squares)

Diapered background (with circles)

Monochrome background with tendrils

Monochrome background with groups of three dots

Monochrome plain background

Other (please specify)

Non-Figural Pictorial Content: Decorated Border

Acanthus border

Greek key border

Interlace border

Wavy-line-and-dots border

Ribbon border

Striped border

Twisted rope/guilloche border

Zigzag border

Scalloped border

Other (please specify)

Non-Figural Pictorial Content: Other

geometric and abstract shapes

penwork flourish

interlace and knotwork

Other Decorations Observations

Divine Symbols

Tetragrammaton

Two yods

Three yods

Four yods

Yods with symbols/abbreviation signs

Yod-vav-yod

Variant of Elohim

Basmala

Hamdala

(Other)

Addition: inverted Yod

Addition: in the lower part of the line of writing

Addition: at the baseline

Addition: below the baseline

Addition: in the upper part of the line of writing

Addition: at the headline

Addition: above the headline

Addition: goes above the headline

Addition: goes below the baseline

Addition: with a loop

Addition: with a foot

Addition: with a head

Addition: straight

Addition: slanted to the left \

Addition: slanted to the right /

Addition: rounded

Addition: wavy

Addition: with thickening

Addition: with tapering

Substitute for Tetragrammaton: He (without addition)

Substitute for Tetragrammaton: He (with addition)

Substitute for Tetragrammaton: four Yods (without addition)

Substitute for Tetragrammaton: four Yods (with addition)

Substitute for Tetragrammaton: three Yods (without addition)

Substitute for Tetragrammaton: three Yods (with addition)

Substitute for Tetragrammaton: two Yods (without addition)

Substitute for Tetragrammaton: two Yods (with addition)

Substitute for Tetragrammaton: one Yod (without addition)

Substitute for Tetragrammaton: one Yod (with addition)

Other Divine Symbols Observations

Editorial Symbols

Signe de renvoi

circle

circle + line

manicule

other

Collation sign

graphic symbol

textual or abbreviation

other

Text management

Insertion sign

Replacement sign

Correction sign

Other Editorial Symbols Observations

Justifications

Graphic space fillers

Extended letters

Reduced letters

Broken letters

Anticipation

Abbreviation

Change of script register

Writing above the line horizontally

Writing above the line obliquely

Writing below the line

Vertical writing

Change of orientation of letter components

(Other)

Other Justifications Observations

Letter Ductus (Optional) General Shape (Optional)

Components & Features

Ligature name

Cluster of Components and Features

Letters ligatured on the left (initial or medial)

Aleph

Beth

Gimel

Daleth

Vav

Zayin

Ḥeth

Ṭeth

Yod

Kaph

Kaph: final

Lamed

Mem

Mem: final

Nun

Nun: final

Samekh

'Ayin

Pe: final

Ṣade

Ṣade: final

Qoph

Resh

Shin/Sin

Tav

Aleph-lamed nexus

Vowel

Diacritic/abbreviation

Letters ligatured on the right (medial or final)

Aleph

Beth

Gimel

Daleth

Vav

Zayin

Ḥeth

Ṭeth

Yod

Kaph

Kaph: final

Lamed

Mem

Mem: final

Nun

Nun: final

Samekh

'Ayin

Pe: final

Ṣade

Ṣade: final

Qoph

Resh

Shin/Sin

Tav

Aleph-lamed nexus

Vowel

Diacritic/abbreviation

Letters ligatured on both sides (must also be tagged as left and right)

Aleph

Beth

Gimel

Daleth

Vav

Zayin

Ḥeth

Ṭeth

Yod

Kaph

Kaph: final

Lamed

Mem

Mem: final

Nun

Nun: final

Samekh

'Ayin

Pe: final

Ṣade

Ṣade: final

Qoph

Resh

Shin/Sin

Tav

Aleph-lamed nexus

Vowel

Diacritic/abbreviation

Location of juncture

Above the line of writing

Below the line of writing

Within the line of writing

Ligature features

Puzzle imbrication

Invisible lines

Connector

Loop

Split letter

Modification of the letter shape

Modification of the letter size

Modification of the letter position relative to the line

Observations

Magical Character

Meshunnah Character Ductus (Optional) General Shape (Optional)

Components & Features

Nexus Ductus (Optional) General Shape (Optional)

Components & Features

Numeral

Arabic

Coptic

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

8000

9000

Zimām

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

8000

9000

1/2

1/3

1/4

1/5

Mozarabic/Toledan

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

10000

Half

Quarter

Third

Rūmī/Fāsī

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

Other Numeral Observations

Name

Punctuation

There is no punctuation

Sof pasuq

Dot

2 dots

3 dots

4 dots

Short stroke

2 short strokes

3 short strokes

Paragraph sign: circle

Paragraph sign: decoration

Paragraph sign: '6-shape'

Parashah sign

Haphtara sign

Chapter symbol

(Other)

Other Punctuation Observations

Ṭe'amim

Sof pasuq

Atnaḥ

Segol/shere

Shalshelet

Zaqef qatan

Zaqef gadol

ṭifḥa/ṭarḥa

revia’

Zarqa

Pashṭa/qadma

Shne pashṭin/tre qadmin

Yetiv

Tevir

Pazer

Qarne farah

Telisha gedolah/talsha/tirṣa

Geresh

Gershayim

Paseq/legarmeh

Merkha/maarikh

Munaḥ/shofar holekh/shofar ‘ilui

Mahpakh/shofar hafukh

Darga

Qadma/azla

Telisha qeṭanah (talsha/tarsa)

Merkha kefulah/tere ta’ame/teren ḥuṭrin

Yeraḥ ben yomo/galgal

Geresh muqdam

Atnaḥ hafukh

‘oleh

‘ilui

Deḥi

Ṣinorit

Other Ṭe'amim Observations

Vowel/Diacritic

Babylonian

Ḥireq

Pataḥ (lines)

Pataḥ (dots)

Qameṣ (lines)

Qameṣ (dots)

Ṣere

Ḥolem

Qibbuṣ (lines)

Qibbuṣ (dots)

Ḥitfa (= shewa)

Miniature shin

Miniature samekh

Miniature he

Miniature gimel

Miniature qof

Mid-dot

Compound ḥireq

Compound pataḥ (lines)

Compound pataḥ (dots)

Compound qameṣ (lines)

Compound qameṣ (dots)

Compound ṣere

Compound ḥolem

Compound qibbuṣ (lines)

Compound qibbuṣ (dots)

Palestinian

Pataḥ

Qameṣ

Seghol

Ṣere

Ḥireq

Ḥolem

Qibbuṣ

Dagesh/mappiq/Shewa (L)

Dagesh/mappiq/Shewa (<)

Dagesh/mappiq/Shewa (C)

Rafe

Miniature shin

Miniature samekh

Shin diacritic

Sin diacritic

Tiberian

Pataḥ

Seghol

Qameṣ

Ṣere

Ḥolem

Ḥireq

Shureq

Qibbuṣ

Shewa

Gaʿya

Rafe

Dagesh/mappiq

Meteg

Ḥaṭef pataḥ

Ḥaṭef seghol

Ḥaṭef qameṣ

Silluq (sof pasuq)

Atnaḥ

Shin dot

Sin dot

Arabic

Fatḥa

Kasra

Ḍamma

Tanwīn

Shadda

Sukūn

Other Vowel/Diacritic Observations

Details

Item

Vatican MS. Urb. Ebr. 41

Collection

Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana (Vatican, Vatican)

Image Name / Folio Number

1r-2v

Created: 11 Nov 2026, 9:42 a.m. by Elena Lolli

Entry Authors:

How to cite this page: Elena Lolli, 'Vatican MS. Urb. Ebr. 41: 1r-2v', in: Hebrew Palaeography Album, General Editors: Judith Olszowy-Schlanger. Consulted online at https://www.hebrewpalaeography.com/data/itemimages/2852/?geId=56977&tab=image on 2026-11-15.

Graphic Elements

Letter

Specimens

Vatican MS. Urb. Ebr. 41: Main text scribe - Square

Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana (Vatican, Vatican)