Artwork Page for Leaf from a Bible: Initial E: Entwined Lions and Serpents (1 of 2 Excised Leaves)

Details / Information for Leaf from a Bible: Initial E: Entwined Lions and Serpents (1 of 2 Excised Leaves)

Leaf from a Bible: Initial E: Entwined Lions and Serpents (1 of 2 Excised Leaves)

c. 1225–50
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England, Glastonbury(?), 13th century

Medium
tempera and ink on vellum
Measurements
Sheet: 20 x 15 cm (7 7/8 x 5 7/8 in.)
Credit Line
The Jeanne Miles Blackburn Collection 1999.122
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
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Did You Know?

The museum owns another leaf from this same bible, 2011.52.

Description

This pair of leaves from the same one-volume Bible have been traditionally associated with the Benedictine Abbey of Glastonbury in southwest England. It is known that the Bible once belonged to the English antiquary and collector, Roger Gale (1672–1744), whose library of 450 manuscripts once included two of the surviving 35 books from Glastonbury Abbey. Until its dissolution in 1539, Glastonbury was one of the greatest and wealthiest abbeys in Europe. Given its vast wealth and the recorded library lists, the abbey must have been a substantial patron of the arts. However, only a few illuminated manuscripts can now be positively identified as Glastonbury work.
A tempera and ink manuscript page features two columns of dense Latin script in black and red on vellum. In the upper right, a large blue initial 'D' is filled with delicate red scrollwork. Further down, an ornate initial 'E' depicts a yellow lion and blue serpent entwined against a gold background. Smaller capitals punctuate the columns. The cream-colored parchment shows signs of age, including faint discoloration and wear along the edges.

Leaf from a Bible: Initial E: Entwined Lions and Serpents (1 of 2 Excised Leaves)

c. 1225–50

England, Glastonbury(?), 13th century

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