IM-10150: (178x118mm) Original leaf from a medieval manuscript pocket Bible. Latin gothic minuscule script, ruled in red & written in brown ink on extremely thin animal vellum. Rubricated chapter numbers in red & blue. Fifteen illuminated multi-line initials in red & blue with delicate red & blue penwork extending along the margins; numerous illuminated one-line initials in red. 53 lines of text in double columns (11 lines per inch!). Extensive glossing!
Produced in France (Probably Paris), c. 1250.
This leaf contains Psalm 121 - 134 (King James 122 - 135) complete and Psalm 135: (KJ 136) 1-26: “Letatus...” (I rejoiced at the things that were said to me...To thee have I lifted up my eyes, who dwellest in heaven...If it had not been that the Lord was with us...They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Sion...When the Lord brought back the captivity of Sion...Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it...Blessed are they tha fear the Lord...Often have they fought against me from my youth...Out of the depths I have cried to thee, O Lord...Lord, my heart is not exalted...O Lord, remember David, and all his meekness...Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity...Behold now bless ye the Lord...Praise ye the name of the Lord...Praise the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever...).
This leaf, from a “portable” Bible during the period of the Crusades, would have been used in the abstract study of theology or the preaching of the Gospel around the medieval countryside. |