Add MS 54234

MILLAR BEQUEST. Vol. VIII. The Sapiential Books, glossed, written and illuminated in northern France; circa 1225-1250. Latin. Turner, op. cit., BMQ, xxxiii, pp. 23-24, pl. IX. On the development of glossed books of the Bible, see C. F. R. de Hamel, Glossed Books of the Bible and the Origins of the Paris Booktrade (1984). Owned by William Moore (d.1862) of Grimeshill, co. West- moreland. Two of Moore's armorial bookplates occur on f. ii and his signature appears, along with the date 1838, on f. 1. Purchased as part of the Moore family library by James Rimell and Son, and purchased of them by Millar on 5 Feb. 1938.

Vellum and paper; ff. iii + 207. Sec. fol.: '-cipium sapientie'. 340 x 240mm. Gatherings (21) as follows: i-xix10, xx8, xxi10 (lacks 9, blank). f. iii is an early modern? paper fly-leaf, watermark unidentified. Ruled (for double bounding lines) in lead point for 4 columns of 20 main text lines. Ruling varies within the columns to accomodate simultaneously text and gloss. Text is below top line. Written space 186 x 145mm. Script is a Gothic textualis quadrata for the main text and a Gothic glossularis for the gloss. Quire numeration, with occasional signatures and catchwords, on the final verso of the quire. Dry point notes occur, some relating to correction (see f. 205, foot). Modern brown levant binding by W. H. Smith and Son.

The manuscript is decorated in the later Transitional style of French illumination, this style centering upon the Bibles Moralisées executed in connection with the French court. The manuscript exhibits a particularly close relationship with one such Bible, Vienna Nationalbibliothek MS. 1179. Pen flourished initials, running titles and paragraphus symbols are executed in blue and red. There are five historiated initials, as follows:

1. f. 1. Parables: P. Solomon and a disciple.

2. f. 58v. Ecclesiastes: U. Solomon.

3. f. 77v. Song of Songs: O. The Bridegroom (Christ) and the Bride (the Church).

4. f. 101. Wisdom: D. Solomon and two Jews.

5. f. 131. Ecclesiasticus: O. Jesus, son of Sirach, pointing to the heavens ("All wisdom cometh from the Lord"), and two Jews.

Art. Illuminations and Drawings FRENCH: Sapiential Books: historiated initials: circa 1225-1250.

Bible LATIN: Sapiential Books, glossed: circa 1225-1250: Lat.

includes:

• f. ii Bookplates and Book-stamps: Heraldry: William Moore, of Grimeshill, county Westmorland: Armorial bookplates of William Moore: 19th cent.
• f. 1 William Moore, of Grimeshill, county Westmorland: Signature: 1838.
• ff. 3-4v Music: John Dunstable, composer: Motets by John Dunstable: mid-late 15th cent.
• ff. 6-6v Music: Guillaume Dufay, composer: Kyrie by Guillaume Dufay: mid-late 15th cent.