Leaves from a Lectionary, in Latin, decorated manuscript on vellum

4 leaves (2 bifolia), 313mm. by 215mm., written space 236mm. by 160mm., double column, 28 lines in dark brown ink in two sizes of a skilled Italian early Gothic bookhand, some letters touched in red, rubrics and initials in red, fifteen 1- to 3-line initials in red touched in green and yellow, six larger initials (at least 4 lines in height) in same but with more decorative extensions, some very minor rubbing to part of a single initial, medieval repair to gutter of one bifolium, modern repair to small loss from bottom of one leaf, else outstanding condition

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

text

These leaves come from a monumental Italian Lectionary of the mid-twelfth century, and contain readings for Deuteronomy 26: 12; 2 Maccabeus 1: 23; Exodus 15: 27; Daniel 3: 49; Matthew 17: 1; 1 Thessalonians 4; and the Vulgate Book of Wisdom. The simple three-colour initials stand quite apart from the more complex white vine initials which swept through Italy in the twelfth century, and seem to emulate older and more austere decorative traditions. Some similarities with this style can be seen in a handful of other twelfth-century liturgical volumes (such as that formerly J. R. Abbey collection 3210, a Gospel Lectionary from much the same date; see Alexander and de la Mare, Italian Manuscripts in the Library of Major J. R. Abbey, 1969, item 2 and pls. 3 & 4; although the decoration of the present leaves is significantly more complex than those there).

The presence of the small red letters 'c', 's' and 't' on the second bifolium indicates that the text is from the Passion readings, and the interpretation of these letters has recently been debated. As early as the fifth century, St. Augustine of Canterbury noted that the Passion readings were recited in a different fashion, more solemn than that used for other readings. Traditionally, scholars have interpreted them as representing the members of the clergy who should sing them: 's' for synagoga or sacerdos, 'c' for cronista the cantor, and the 't' left unexplained, but probably representing the priest; and thus these are the earliest witnesses to a form of Medieval dramatic production (E.C. Dunn 'Voice Structure in the Liturgical Drama', Medieval English Drama, eds. J. Taylor and A.H. Nelson, 1972, pp. 44-63). However, recently S. Rankin, 'An Early Eleventh-Century Missal Fragment ...', Bodleian Library Record 18, April 2004, 232-3, has proposed that they represent direct instructions to the singer, similar to those which accompany modern musical score, with 's' for sursum ('sing higher'), 'c' for celeriter ('sing faster'), and 't' for trahere ('sing slower'), making them an early witness to this form of musical instruction instead.