AUTHOR: UNKNOWN

LANGUAGE: LATIN

DATE: 1100-1199

PAGE #: 176

REPRODUCTION DIMENSIONS: 11.75 X 8.75 IN

HISTORY/DESCRIPTION: THIS LAVISHLY DECORATED GOSPEL LECTIONARY BELONGS TO A GROUP OF MANUSCRIPTS IN WHICH IS MENTIONED IN AN OUDALRICUS PECCATOR (UDALRICH THE SINNER), WHO HAS BEEN CONNECTED TO UDALRICH, ABBOT OF THE MONASTERY OF LORSCH, WHO DIED IN 1075. IT IS DECORATED WITH GOLDEN DISPLAY SCRIPT IN CAPITALS, AND INITIALS IN GOLD AND SILVER. THE MAIN FEASTS (CHRISTMAS, EASTER, WHITSUN, AND THE FEAST OF SAINT MICHAEL) ARE EMPHASIZED BY FULL-SIZE MINIATURES. THE MANUSCRIPT ALSO DISPLAYS FOUR FULL-PAGE FRAMED MINIATURES DEPICTING THE EVANGELISTS IN THE UNUSUAL ORDER OF MATTHEW, LUKE, JOHN, AND MARK. THE PRECIOUS BINDING OF THE MANUSCRIPT IS DECORATED WITH AN IVORY TABLE ON BOTH FRONT AND BACK COVERS. THE ONE ON THE FRONT COVER, DEPICTING A CRUCIFIXION, THE THREE WOMEN AT THE GRAVE, AND THE ASCENSION, WAS PROBABLY MADE IN 11TH-CENTURY FRANCONIA; ITS FRAMING ORNAMENTAL IVORIES CAN BE DATED TO THE 12TH OR 13TH CENTURIES. SIMILAR IVORY PLATES SERVE AS A FRAME TO THE SIDE WINGS OF A CONSULAR DIPTYCH FROM RAVENNA OR ROME ON THE BACK COVER, WHICH IS DATABLE TO AROUND 450. THE MANUSCRIPT HAS BEEN ATTRIBUTED TO THE MONASTERY DEDICATED TO SAINT MICHAEL ON HEILIGENBERG NEAR HEIDELBERG, WHICH WAS AFFILIATED WITH THAT OF LORSCH.

REPRODUCTION DETAILS: OUR HARDCOVER BOOKS ARE MADE WITH REAL WOOD FOR THE INTERIOR OF THE FRONT AND BACK COVERS AS WELL AS THE SPINE. THE LEATHER IS A 4 OZ COWHIDE, FROM A SMALL SUPPLIER IN NORTH CAROLINA. THE LEATHER IS ADHERED TO THE COVERS WITH GLUE AND MOLDED INTO THE SHAPE AT THE HAND OF OUR LOCAL ARTISANS. THE SIGNATURES/PAGES ARE HANDSEWN USING A LIBRARY BINDING METHOD. THE SEWN BOOK IS BOUND WITH A STRONG ADHESIVE GLUE THAT MAKES THE BINDINGS LAST, ESPECIALLY FOR THE LARGER BOOKS. WE ALSO ADD A THICK MULL CLOTH TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE BINDING, DRYING IN BETWEEN EACH LAYER, A TRADITIONAL WAY TO MAKE THE BINDING STIFF, STRONG, AND RESILIENT FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

NOTE: ALL OF OUR FACSIMILES ARE MADE TO ORDER. PLEASE ALLOW 4-6 WEEKS FOR NOTIFICATION OF SHIPMENT.