Manuscript 5

Syracuse University Library, Department of Special Collections

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Detailed Multilevel Description: Manuscript Level, Part Level, Text Level

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Detailed Multilevel Description

Shelfmark

MS 5, Syracuse University Library, Department of Special Collections.

Composite MS?

No.

Total Folios

ff. i + 239 + i

Outer Dimensions

12 x 8 cm.

Physical Issues/Binding

Brown-red leather binding. Single clasp.

Provenance

Cardinal Etienne-Charles Lomenie de Brienne (1724-1794); Angela Keen (owner in 1887?); Burlingame Estate.

Bibliography

Everson Museum of Art of Syracuse and Onondaga County. Medieval Art in Upstate New York. Syracuse, NY: Everson Museum of Art of Syracuse and Onondaga County, 1974. [pp.98-99].

Provenance

An inscription on the recto of the front flyleaf states that the MS. was once in the library of the Cardinal Etienne-Charles Lomenie de Brienne (1727-1794) and in 1887? was given to Miss Angela Keen from Mr. R. Silvermiore?. The bookplate on the inside cover is that of the Syracuse University Library/Rarebook Department (now known as the Department of Special Collections) and indicates that MS 5 was a gift of the Burlingame Estate.

Source

Everson Museum of Art of Syracuse and Onondaga County. Medieval Art in Upstate New York. Syracuse, NY: Everson Museum of Art of Syracuse and Onondaga County, 1974. [pp.98-99]. -- In house files and catalog information. -- Notes and observations of Jennifer Casten.

Inputter/Reviser

Jennifer Casten

Part Number

Pt. I, Calendar and Hours.

Support

Parchment.

Span of Folios for Part

Pt. I: ff. 1r-239v.

Country

Italy.

City

Florence. This is based on the inclusion of the feast of St. Reparata in the calendar for October 8; the reversal of scenes at the Penitential Psalms and using the scene of David killing Goliath as the full page miniature; and the miniature at the Office of the Dead which appears to portray a scene from Dante’s Purgatory XIV, 145-151).

Document?

No.

Dated?

Yes.

Date

Last quarter of the 14th century, based on the Gothic script which shows the influence of the littera Bononiensis.

Layout

The calendar pages appear to have been ruled using a rake (indentations in the paper). It has 6 vertical and 19 horizontal lines, 18 rows of text in five columns. Special feasts are indicated in red ink, the remainder remain in black. The rest of the text is ruled (in ink) with 2 vertical and thirteen horizontal lines, 1 column and 12 rows of text. Catchwords ornamented with foliage design, can be found in the bottom margins.

Script

Gothic, influenced by the littera Bononiensis.

Representational Decoration

This MS contains 4 full-page miniatures and 4 historiated initials. The miniatures can be characterized by the dark blue background for most of the scenes depicted. The historiated initials will have the letter in one color, often with an inside border in another color, decorated with feather-like foliage of one or more colors, set against a gold rectangular background, and inhabited by an image. The first example of a historiated initial is that of the Madonna and Child (13r). A coat of arms also appears on this folio which illustrates a blue diagonal band across the image of a castle (?) against a dark background. The first full page miniature (104v) is a scene of two men, and one women holding a yellow bird on her wrist, following another man who is pointing or leading the way. The facing folio (105r) contains a historiated initial illustrating the upper part of a skeleton with arms crossed. The next full page miniature is that of David slaying Goliath (168v). David is depicted in armored soldier gear, with sword in right hand, the head of Goliath in his left, the body of Goliath at his feet, and his slingshot nearby on the ground. On the facing folio (169r), a historiated initial is inhabited by David playing an instrument. In the scene of the Crucifixion (201r), only Christ on the cross is shown shedding his blood, with no observers present, but the lance and sponge are shown, as well as the skull under the rock of Golgotha. The historiated initial on the facing page depicts the Man of Sorrows, an image of Christ showing his wounds. The last full-page miniature (234r) shows a woman in a red garment with white cloak, probably Mary Magdalene, embracing the foot of the cross.

Other Decoration

Ornamented capitals appear in different varieties: 1 row high, blue or red initials; 2 row high, red with blue scroll-like design or blue with red design; or more elaborate initials of a variety of colors including gold and decorated with acanthus foliage extending upwards and downwards into the margins (e.g., 41r). Catchwords appearing in the bottom margins of folios are also highlighted with ornamental foliage.

Notes (Part Level)

Date and location information are contributions of Professor Sheila Edmunds, Wells College, and Professor Kenneth Pennington, Syracuse University from Medieval Art in Upstate New York.

Span of Folios for Text

Calendar: ff. 1r-12v; Office of the BVM, including the Gospel readings: ff. 13r-103r; Office of the Dead: ff. 105r-167v; 7 Penitential Psalms: ff. 169r-186v; Litany and related prayers: ff. 186v-200r; Office of the Passion of Jesus Christ: ff. 202r-233v; Office of the Cross: ff. 235r-239v.

Supplied Title

Book of Hours.

Status of Text

Misbound: end of the Office of the Cross is placed at the beginning.

Incipit

[Immediately following calendar:] "Domine labia mea aperies..."

Language(s)

Latin.




MANUSCRIPT DESCRIPTIONS IN TABLE FORMAT

MS 1

MS 2

MS 3

MS 5

MS 6

MS 7

MS 11

MS 12

MS 27

MS 90 

 

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS & INDEX TO IMAGES

MS 1

MS 2

MS 3

MS 5

MS 6

MS 7

MS 11

MS 12

MS 27

MS 90 

 


 

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