Psalterium
F-dziy
Note from Otto Ege: "Small Psalters of this period are comparatively rare, since Psalters were used primarily in the church services and not by the layman. Here, the letters and ornament still retain all the rigidity of the previous century and give no indication of the rounder type of letter or any beginning of the interest in nature that characterized the work of the scribes in France. The filigree decoration, as well as the line-finishing elements, show, however, more creative freedom than either the initial or the text letters. The small burnished gold letters display considerable skill on the part of the illuminator, for it is difficult to control small designs in the gesso used as a base for the raised gold leaf."
Note: Scott Gwara placed this in Flanders, Belgium, whereas Ege marked it as from The Netherlands. Gwara also dated it late 13th century (1275-1300) rather than early 14th as Ege had it.
General Information
Northern Textualis
Original Condition
Thick parchment.
Current Condition
Dirt visible on the margins from handling. Residual tape from Otto Ege's mounting. On verso the number 39 is written in pen on the left hand side. Overall good condition.
Book Decoration and Musical Notation
On recto: 7 initials all measuring at 5 mm x 4 mm. They are alternating either blue or gold with ornamental decoration around them in blue or red. The last initial has scrollwork decor in red going down 30 mm. Two line fillers. One in blue and red at line 10 (28 mm) and on only in red at line 14 (17 mm)
On verso: one big initial (15 mm x 12 mm) central to the text of the letter B in gold with blue, coral red, and decoration bordering the left side of the column (74 mm).
Five smaller initials like on the recto in gold and blue with blue or red scroll decoration around it. Two line filler decorations. One in blue at line 6 (18 mm) and one at line 9 mostly in red with small dots in blue (21 mm).
Bibliography
-
Gwara, Scott. Otto Ege’s Manuscripts : A Study of Ege’s Manuscript Collections, Portfolios, and Retail Trade : With a Comprehensive Handlist of Manuscripts Collected or Sold. De Brailes Publishing, 2013.