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Source Description

This eleventh-century Gospel Lectionary was written in a clear Carolingian minuscule in Regensburg, Germany. Its remarkable treasure binding, which is original to the manuscript, is extremely fragile due to the Byzantine or Islamic silk that constitutes the spine; therefore it is not possible to image the entire manuscript. The cover, which alone has been photographed, is a rare survival and a rich example of Ottonian art. Bound in silver, the front cover displays an impressive mastery of filigree, segments of which have been gilded. A variety of textures and substances, including niello bosses in the corners, ivory plaques depicting the four Evangelists, gemstones (now lost), and a golden image of the Crucifixion beneath a polished rock crystal, give the cover an opulence rarely seen in medieval bookbinding. The back cover, necessarily flat to lie on the altar without damaging the decoration, consists of a sheet of hammered and gilded silver, engraved with an image of St. Michael slaying a dragon. This image has traditionally led to an association with the abbey of SS. Peter and Michael in Mondsee, Austria, but its more recent attribution to Othlon, a scribe active in Regensburg, suggests that it is more likely of German manufacture.

Scholar Source Context

Document identity
localId
17493
label
The Mondsee Gospels and Treasure Binding with the Evangelists and Crucifixion
core
obj
dtoType
object
pageCount
4
Source metadata
id
17493
contentType
object
stage
normalized
title
The Mondsee Gospels and Treasure Binding with the Evangelists and Crucifixion
description
This eleventh-century Gospel Lectionary was written in a clear Carolingian minuscule in Regensburg, Germany. Its remarkable treasure binding, which is original to the manuscript, is extremely fragile due to the Byzantine or Islamic silk that constitutes the spine; therefore it is not possible to image the entire manuscript. The cover, which alone has been photographed, is a rare survival and a rich example of Ottonian art. Bound in silver, the front cover displays an impressive mastery of filigree, segments of which have been gilded. A variety of textures and substances, including niello bosses in the corners, ivory plaques depicting the four Evangelists, gemstones (now lost), and a golden image of the Crucifixion beneath a polished rock crystal, give the cover an opulence rarely seen in medieval bookbinding. The back cover, necessarily flat to lie on the altar without damaging the decoration, consists of a sheet of hammered and gilded silver, engraved with an image of St. Michael slaying a dragon. This image has traditionally led to an association with the abbey of SS. Peter and Michael in Mondsee, Austria, but its more recent attribution to Othlon, a scribe active in Regensburg, suggests that it is more likely of German manufacture.
provenance
Jacques Rosenthal [art dealer], Munich, early 20th century [mode of acquisition unknown]; Henry Walters, Baltimore, between 1925-1931, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
date
11th-12th century with later additions and alterations (Medieval)
rightsUri
CC0
language
en
genreSpecific
Manuscripts & Rare Books
illuminated manuscripts
imageCount
4
pageCount
4
source
import
dimensions
units
cm
width
29.6
height
23
depth
10.4
dimensionsRaw
H: 11 5/8 x W: 9 1/16 x D: 4 1/8 in. (29.6 x 23 x 10.4 cm)
Source extras
cul
Medieval European
style
Ottonian
RelatedObjects
91757
med
ink and paint on finely prepared parchment bound between oak boards covered with leather, silk damask, silver filigree, gilded panels, ivory, niello, gold leaf, and rock crystal
creator_ids
6211
8630
collection_ids
MSS
MED
exhibition_ids
96
2012
213
2220
117
2423
2289
2426
2365
604
664
683
2115
3363
215
Page inventory
seq
1
type
photo
mediaId
fc802b67e7c5bb38
hasOcr
no
hasDescription
no
seq
2
type
photo
mediaId
31cb793e6ec68dce
hasOcr
no
hasDescription
no
seq
3
type
photo
mediaId
91f3e22ace23f9c3
hasOcr
no
hasDescription
no
seq
4
type
photo
mediaId
59233c67a1dc7c54
hasOcr
no
hasDescription
no