Lot 64

Johannes Beleth, Summa de ecclesiasticis officiis, in Latin, decorated manuscript on vellum [probably Italy, late twelfth century]

Estimate

7,000 - 9,000 GBP

bidding is closed

Description

Vellum

70 leaves, 210mm. by 135mm., wanting a gathering at front (with initial 19 chapters) and a leaf after fol.64, else complete, collation: i-viii^{8, xi^{6 (iv and vi singletons), single column, 32 lines in dark brown ink in a small, early gothic bookhand, glosses within red boxes, rubrics in red, one- and 2-line red initials, the larger with penwork flourishes, instructions to rubricator surviving on fol.14r, bottom corner of fol.2 torn away, first leaf discoloured, small stains throughout, else good condition, modern red leather over pasteboards}}

Provenance

provenance

1. Comte Paul Durrieu (1855-1925), art-historian and curator of the Louvre.

2. Paul Jammes (1890-1983) of Paris.

3. Bergendal MS.92; bought by Joseph Pope from Bruce Ferrini in May 1989: Bergendal catalogue no.92; Stoneman, 'Guide', p.201.

Catalogue Note

text

Johannes Beleth (fl. 1135-82) was a French liturgist and theologian. He was recorded at Tiron in 1135, and studied at Chartres about the same time, probably later teaching theology in Paris. He is last recorded at Amiens in 1182, and most probably died there soon after. His Summa de Ecclesiasticis Officiis, perhaps written in 1162, is a remarkably early manual of Christian liturgy, and is now one of our principal sources for the liturgical practices of the twelfth century. Another work follows on fol.66r, opening, "In aqua quae mundat et lavat ...".