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Egerton MS 3874
- Record Id:
- 032-001986247
- Hierarchy Root Ancestor Record Id:
- 032-001986247
- MDARK:
- ark:/81055/vdc_100000000036.0x000069
- LARK:
- SLARK:
- Format:
- ISAD(G)
- Reference (shelfmark):
- Egerton MS 3874
- Title:
-
Detached leaf, possibly from an artist's patternbook
- Scope & Content:
-
This manuscript comprises a single detached leaf believed to have formed part of an artist's patternbook.
The recto of the leaf features two drawings, one depicting a swan wearing a crown around its neck attached to a ringed chain, the other depicting four cranes attacking a frog.
The verso features a drawing of a pelican nourishing seven chicks in a nest, contained within a foliate wreath, above a four-line Middle English verse, beginning, 'And prey her of me to hawe mersy if I hawe...' (DIMEV 529.5). The verse is possibly an address to the Virgin Mary, or a fragment of a lover's complaint. A separate paper fragment (f. i recto) is inscribed with a later transcription of the Middle English text.
Similar artistic motifs occur in other surviving patternbooks, such as the Pepysian Sketchbook (now Cambridge, Magdalene College MS. 1916) and the Helmingham anthologies. The swan motif bears a resemblance to the Dunstable Swan Jewel (British Museum, M & LA 1966, 7-3, 1), dated c. 1400.
- Collection Area:
- Western Manuscripts
- Project / Collection:
- Egerton Manuscripts
- Hierarchy Tree:
- [{ "id" : "032-001986247", "parent" : "#", "text" : "Egerton MS 3874: Detached leaf, possibly from an artist's patternbook" , "li_attr" : {"class": "orderable"} }]
- Hierarchy Record Ids:
- 032-001986247
- Is part of:
- not applicable
- Hierarchy:
- 032-001986247
- Container:
- not applicable
- Record Type (Level):
- Fonds
- Extent:
-
1 leaf
- Digitised Content:
- http://www.bl.uk/manuscripts/FullDisplay.aspx?ref=Egerton_MS_3874 (digital images currently unavailable)
- Thumbnail:
-
- Languages:
- English, Middle
- Scripts:
- Latin
- Start Date:
- 1400
- End Date:
- 1449
- Date Range:
- 1st half of 15th century
- Era:
- CE
- Access:
-
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- User Conditions:
- Letter of introduction required to view this manuscript
- Physical Characteristics:
-
Material: Paper.
Dimensions: 212 x 138 mm.
Foliation: ff. 1 + i; f. i is a paper fragment.
Script: Gothic cursive.
Traces of five sewing marks on inner edge and of red edging at head, indicating that the leaf at one time formed part of a book.
- Custodial History:
-
Origin:
England.
Provenance:
Purchased by the British Library at Sotheby's, 20 June 1995, lot 17.
- Publications:
- The Digital Index of Middle English Verse [DIMEV], https://www.dimev.net/record.php?recID=529.5#wit-529.5-1 [accessed on 10 July 2023], nos. 529.5.
- Material Type:
- Archives and Manuscripts
- Legal Status:
- Not Public Record(s)