manuscript cutting
Manuscript Cutting
ca. 1440 (made)
ca. 1440 (made)
Place of origin |
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.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Title | manuscript cutting |
Materials and techniques | |
Brief description | 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]. |
Physical description | 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 |
Dimensions |
|
Styles | |
Production type | Unique |
Copy number | 1 |
Object history | 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. |
Historical context | 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' |
Subject depicted | |
Summary | 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. |
Collection | |
Accession number | D.339-1893 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
Record created | June 30, 2009 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest