IIII Kings 9-15 Bible leaves, early 13th century

1230/1250
13th century

The initials on this Bible leaf seem to correspond to those of Paris circa 1240.

IIII Kings, Chapters 9 (partial), 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 (partial). In the Latin Vulgate I and II Kings are equivalent to I and II Samuel in most English versions. Latin Vulgate III and IIII Kings are equivalent to I and II Kings in English versions.

Latin

Medieval Manuscripts

MSC0542

xfMMs.Bi5

http://aspace.lib.uiowa.edu/repositories/2/resources/514

Ruling in graphite on both sides of each leaf. Margins have been ruled for chapter numbers and page titles, as well as something in the bottom margin that has not been executed.

Miniscule gothic bookhand
5 lines per cm. The top and bottom lines of a column often have extended ascenders and descenders.

Initials and Capitals: Each Roman numeral is preceded by a capital "C" that has a very simple tail flourish. Each chapter initial has a blue or red capital to indicate where it starts in the line.

Page Titles: Page headings in alternating blue and red letters, abbreviated and minimally flourished. Recto - IIII. Verso - REG.

Rubrication: Rubrication within the text of the first letter of each sentence.

Marginal Notation, Annotations: Minimal annotations, mostly noting the name of the particular king being talked about and the number of years he reigned.

Provenance: Acquired in 2006 from Phillip J. Pirages, Fine Books and Manuscripts. Receipt and catalog page (Item #92) with research materials. The catalog entry suggests that xMMs.Bi5 and xMMs.Bi6 are fragments from the same bible. Their folio size differs slightly however. The length of the flourish on the top of the capital "C" for each chapter numeral differs as does the nature of the annotations. They may have come from the same workshop because the script, layout and decoration are so similar, but they may not have come from the same Bible manuscript. In the bottom margin of the verso of each leaf are penciled notations referring to the bookseller's identification number and price: 8302-3y, 150; 8302-4d, 150; 8302-4e, 150.

University of Iowa. Libraries. Special Collections Department

Conservation Note: University of Iowa Libraries, Conservation Lab, conservator unidentified.

Image capture at 800 ppi, 24-bit color, using Capture One DB 8.0.2 64-bit with a Digital Transitions RCam, Phase One IQ180 digital back, and Schneider Kreuznach 72mm lens. Archival tiff available.

References: Christopher de Hamel, The Book: A History of the Bible (London: Phaidon, 2001). Patricia Stirneman, "Fils de la vièrge: L'initiale à filigranes parisiennes 1140-1314," Revue de l'art 90 (1990): 58-73.

2016-03-07

Material in the public domain. No restrictions on use.

Contact the Special Collections Department at The University of Iowa Libraries: http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/sc/contact

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