Historiated initial from choir book
Manuscript Cutting
15th century (made)
15th century (made)
| Place of origin |
This excised historiated initial 'G' comes from a 15th-century Lombard liturgical manuscript. The figure is Saint Agatha is recognisable thanks to the severed breasts she holds on a plate, which refer to her martyrdom. The initial probably marked her feast day (5 February) in the book it has been taken from.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Historiated initial from choir book |
| Materials and techniques | |
| Brief description | Historiated initial G with Saint Agatha, from a choirbook, Lombardy, 15th century. |
| Physical description | Historiated initial 'G' with Saint Agatha, holding a plate with her breasts. This initial may have opened the Introit (a psalm sung at the beginning of the Christian Mass) for the feast of St. Agatha (5 February): 'Gaudeamus omnes in Domino...' Other side not visible. Mounted onto card. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Production type | Unique |
| Object history | Purchased from Charles Fairfax Murray in 1894 as part of a group of cuttings (now Museum nos 799-1894 to 817-1894) for the total sum of £190 10s 10d. |
| Summary | This excised historiated initial 'G' comes from a 15th-century Lombard liturgical manuscript. The figure is Saint Agatha is recognisable thanks to the severed breasts she holds on a plate, which refer to her martyrdom. The initial probably marked her feast day (5 February) in the book it has been taken from. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 808-1894 |
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| Record created | June 8, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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