Cut-out historiated initial 'X' from a liturgical book, attributed to the Olivetan Master or his circle; Italian (North); ca 1440?

[A duplicate number MS.1014 was assigned to this object in error and was subsequently cancelled].

Historiated initial 'X' with angels likely came from a liturgical manuscript and was probably made in Lombardy in the mid 15th century (c. 1440s?). It has been attributed to the Olivetan Master or to his circle. Double-sided (although now pasted onto card). Colour pigments and burnished gold (gol dpigemtn that was polished to shine).

Recto: Dark pink historiated initial with white filigree decoration on the body of the initial set against a burnished gold background

1

This historiated initial 'X' probably came from a liturgical manuscript and appears to have been made in Lombardy in the mid 15th century. The size of the initial suggests that it was intended to be read from farther away and by a large group, such as a choir. It probably came from a Gradual (the principal liturgical book used in the Mass; it contained all of the sung material used in the Mass) or an Antiphoner (a manuscript that contained all of the sung material used in the Divine Office [the canonical hours of private daily devotions practiced by monks and nuns]).

Initial
Recto:
a dark pink historiated initial 'X' is decprated with white foliate designs. In both the upper and lower half there is a large angel with a burnished gold nimbus (halo) and large wings with hands clasped together in prayer. Behin each one is a mass of angel heads in either blue (upper) or red (lower) and all with burnished gold nimbi.

Verso: Inaccessible (the cutting is pasted down onto card).

Text:
Due to the close cropping no visible text remains.

Data taken from notes compiled by Rowan Watson. The full text of the entry is as follows:

(This text refers to 325.1 to 325.8)

Cat. 325. Eight cut-out historiated miniatures from a Choir Book, Italy (North), Mid-15th century.

Individual item text

'Cat. no. 325.8
D.339-1893 (MS 1014)
CHOIR BOOK
Cut-out historiated initial X (magenta letter-shape on burnished gold ground, two angels with hands in praying position, attributed to an associate of the Olivetan Master)

Verso not visible (pasted onto card in 19c).

Italy (North) . c. 1440?
150 x 125 mm.

From a set of 8 "illuminations" bought from Messrs Parsons, 1893 £12.12.0.
Pub: 1908 cat, 88; 1923 cat, 81'

Cut-out historiated initial 'X' (an initial that contains an identifiable figure or scene) with angels. Probably from a liturgical book made in Lombardy in the mid 15th century (c. 1440s?) and attributed to the Olivetan Master or his circle based on stylistic features.

D.339-1893