Case 8

Single leaf from a Gospel Lectionary, in Latin. Northeast Italy (perhaps Venice), fifteenth century. Reed MSF43.

Single leaf from a Gospel Lectionary, in Latin. Northeast Italy (perhaps Venice), fifteenth century. Reed MSF43.

The initial ‘I’ in MSF43 shows some decoration within the body of the letter which is divided into red and blue. The pen flourishes also use both colours and exhibit a high degree of complexity. The same design, albeit simplified, is used for a smaller letter on the other side of the leaf.

The text contains the readings for Mass on the Saturday of Passion Week and Palm Sunday.

Single leaf from a Gospel Lectionary, in Latin. Northeast Italy (perhaps Venice), fifteenth century. Reed MSF43.

Single leaf from a Gospel Lectionary, in Latin. Northeast Italy (perhaps Venice), fifteenth century. Reed MSF43.
Open image in new window

Single leaf from a Psalter, in Latin. France or Flanders, early fourteenth century. Reed MSF38.

Single leaf from a Psalter, in Latin. France or Flanders, early fourteenth century. Reed MSF38.

The ‘O’ at the bottom of this leaf has been laid on a ground of gold. The blue initial is decorated with white tracery. A vine with blue and red leaves is inside the initial and extends under the gold ground and up into the margin. Sitting in the margin on top of the vine is a white dog.

The text of this leaf is from Psalms 45:6-46:10.

Single leaf from a Psalter, in Latin. France or Flanders, early fourteenth century. Reed MSF38.

Single leaf from a Psalter, in Latin. France or Flanders, early fourteenth century. Reed MSF38.
Open image in new window

Single leaf from a Psalter, in Latin. Spain (possibly Seville), late thirteenth century. Reed MSF44.

Single leaf from a Psalter, in Latin. Spain (possibly Seville), late thirteenth century. Reed MSF44.

The initials on this leaf have been written with a gold paint that has gradually rubbed off over time. It contains two-line initials in gold and colours, as well as versal initials in gold outlined in either blue or red. Headings are in red.

The text is from Psalms: 11:5-13:5.

Single leaf from a Psalter, in Latin. Spain (possibly Seville), late thirteenth century. Reed MSF44.

Single leaf from a Psalter, in Latin. Spain (possibly Seville), late thirteenth century. Reed MSF44.
Open image in new window

Single leaf from a Breviary in Latin. France (perhaps Eastern France), ca. 1400. Reed MSF15.

Single leaf from a Breviary in Latin. France (perhaps Eastern France), ca. 1400. Reed MSF15.

This leaf contains a small initial in burnished gold with penwork in black. The painted blue initial is embellished with red penwork - the decoration is more intricate than that surrounding the gilded initial.

The text is from the services of First Vespers and Matins for the Feast of St Theodulus (31 March).

Single leaf from a Breviary in Latin. France (perhaps Eastern France), ca. 1400. Reed MSF15.

Single leaf from a Breviary in Latin. France (perhaps Eastern France), ca. 1400. Reed MSF15.
Open image in new window