Leaf from a noted Ferial Psalter and Hymnal, manuscript on vellum [Italy, 12th century]

Property from the Albright-Knox Art Gallery

Leaf from a noted Ferial Psalter and Hymnal

Manuscript in Latin on vellum. [Italy (Tuscany?), 12th century (mid or late)]

Single leaf, c.200×135; blind-ruled and written in a fine late-Caroline bookhand above top line with 25 lines per page (c.145×95mm); the text comprising Psalms 31:5-33:7; before Psalm 32 is an antiphon in smaller script with EARLY MUSICAL NOTATION on a single-line red stave; initials in red; early modern foliation ‘19’ (and later ‘20’ in blue ink, as on other leaves from the same manuscript).

In 1985 eight leaves from the same manuscript were sold in these rooms, and ascribed in the catalogue to the late 12th century; this may be correct, but if so features such as the blind ruling, the lack of ‘kissing’ of adjacent round letters such as ‘po’ and ‘pp’, and the e-caudata for ‘æ’, are very archaic, and they suggest an even earlier date.

LITERATURE:

Scott Gwara, Otto Ege’s Manuscripts (Cayce, SC, 2013), Handlist no. 100 and fig. 35, citing leaves in two American institutions.

PROVENANCE:

(1) ‘Barnheim’, a collector whose name is written on the first leaf of the parent manuscript, and whose manuscripts were sold in Berlin on 8 May 1873 (see Sotheby’s, 26 November 1985, lot 45)

(2) Otto Ege/Philip Duschnes; thought to be from a German Psalter of c.1225.

(3) Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, NY; Gallery Purchase, 1940 (1940:355.31)