Theotokarion, Hymns to the Virgin, in Greek [eastern Mediterranean, c.1300-50]

c.200x147mm, vellum, 172 leaves, quires of eight leaves throughout, lacking two leaves at the beginning, a single leaf probably after f.3, two leaves after f.91, single leaves after ff.120, 121, 137 and 143, two leaves after f.171 and probably one leaf at end, mostly 24 lines, initials in red, many early side notes and some scribbles, some leaves irregular, a few leaves loose, other signs of much use, CONTEMPORARY BINDING of brown leather over thick square wooden boards, blind ruled, metal bosses, lacking clasps, spine defective and other wear

PROVENANCE

(1) BARONESS ANGELA GEORGINA BURDETT-COUTTS (1814–1905) who inherited the gigantic banking fortune of the Coutts family through her step-grandmother the Duchess of St Albans, the wealthiest and one of the most famous women in England: her MS.II.3 (subsequently changed tentatively to I.10) and part of a group of 27 Greek manuscripts, all bought from Janina in Albania (now north-west Greece) in 1870–71, and presented to Highgate School; deposited at the British Museum in 1938. (2) Property of Highgate School, sold in our rooms, 23 June 1987, lot 50, to the present owner.

TEXT

This is a Theotokarion, or Book of Hymns mostly addressed to the Virgin Mary ('Theotokos' in Greek), each containing eight or nine Odes subdivided into three or four stanzas.