Accession number
MS M.565
Object title
Gospel book fragment (MS M.565).
Created
Saxony, northeastern Germany, ca. 1180-1200.
Binding
19th-century pastiche book box (346 x 236 x 50 mm) with 12th- and 13th-century elements; manuscript is bound into a box case of heavy wooden boards; upper cover has silver-gilt plaque at center with a figure of Christ enthroned in relief; wide filigree border set with crystals and semi-precious stones and eight medallions depicting figures of saints and scenes from the lives of Christ and the Virgin. Binding stored separately (MS M.565A).
Credit line
Purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan (1837-1913) in 1905.
Description
52 leaves (1 column, 41-42 lines), bound : vellum, ill. ; 325 x 196 mm
Provenance
Kloster Heiningen, a monastery of Augustinian canonesses in Hanover; Prince Alexis Soltykoff (who also owned, separately bound, the other part of this manuscript); his sale (Paris, 1861, lot 1); Guillaume Libri; his sale (London, Sotheby's, July 26, 1862 (second day's sale), lot no. 229) to Sir Thomas Phillipps (Phillipps Collection no. 16388); purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan (1837-1913), perhaps through Quaritch, in 1905 or 1906; J.P. Morgan (1867-1943).
Notes
Ms. Gospel book; written and illuminated in Hamersleben, Saxony, northeastern Germany, in the 12th century.
Text: canon tables followed by the Gospels of Matthew and Mark.
The other part of this manuscript is now held by the British Library (MS Add. 27926).
Musical notation: vellum fragments of a German 15th-century antiphonary are found on the front and back pastedowns; the front pastedown has 5-line staves ruled in black and hufnagle notation; on the back pastedown is an antiphon for Lauds for the first Sunday in Lent.
Decoration: 12 illuminated canon tables; 2 full-page miniatures; illuminated initials throughout.
Text: canon tables followed by the Gospels of Matthew and Mark.
The other part of this manuscript is now held by the British Library (MS Add. 27926).
Musical notation: vellum fragments of a German 15th-century antiphonary are found on the front and back pastedowns; the front pastedown has 5-line staves ruled in black and hufnagle notation; on the back pastedown is an antiphon for Lauds for the first Sunday in Lent.
Decoration: 12 illuminated canon tables; 2 full-page miniatures; illuminated initials throughout.
Script
textura
Language
Latin
Resources
Century
Catalog link
Classification
Department