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157 - Middle Ages Homily book for the Night Office (Matins) of the…
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Estimate €1,000 - €1,500
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Description
Middle Ages Homily book for the Night Office (Matins) of the Easter Octave. Featuring a red initial, red Lombard script and other red decorative elements. Latin manuscript on parchment. Relatively rounded early Gothic Textura script. Approximately 20 to 25 lines. Text area approx. 21.6 x 6.5 cm. 29.5 x 13.4 cm. Probably from the southern German-speaking region (Bavaria or Austria), c. 1250–1300. Regarding palaeography: The script is a careful, still relatively rounded early Gothic textura written by a single hand. The red rubrics are likely to have been added by the same scribe. Characteristic features include the two-storey ‘a’, the predominantly uncial ‘d’, rounded and long ‘s’ forms, and, in some instances, a rounded ‘r’ in the style of round letters. In addition, there are curved connections, ‘ct’ and ‘st’ ligatures, and a moderate break in the stem without pronounced quadrangles. The abbreviation system is standard (nasal stroke, ‘p’ abbreviations, Nomina sacra). Punctuation is provided by dots and a punctus elevatus. No corrections or additions are discernible. The dating to the second half of the 13th century, possibly around 1300, is based on the Textura script, which had not yet been strictly formalised, and the simple Lombardic decoration. Regarding the content: This is a fragment of a homily book, that is, a collection of sermons on the Gospels for the liturgical year, in this case for Holy Week. The heading ‘Sexta’ refers to the reading for Friday. Interpretations of three Gospel passages are discernible. The first concerns John 20:11–18, Mary Magdalene at the tomb. The text reads ‘Maria stabat ad monumentum foris plorans’ and ‘Mulier quid ploras?’, as well as the interpretation of the two angels in white robes sitting at the head and foot of the tomb. The sermon interprets these as symbols of the two Testaments and begins by referring to Mary’s ardent love. The second passage is John 21, the catch of fish. It speaks of fishing and of casting the net on the right-hand side, with an allegorical interpretation relating to the Church and the elect. The third is Matthew 28:16–17, concerning the eleven disciples who go up the mountain in Galilee. The interpretation addresses the number twelve of the Apostles, the election of Matthias to replace Judas, and the doubts of some of the disciples. The wording of the commentary on John 20 is clearly reminiscent of Gregory the Great’s Gospel homilies (Homiliae in Evangelia, Hom. 25). The remaining sections may also have originated with Gregory or been taken from another homiliary, such as that of Haimo of Auxerre or Bede. Middle Ages – Homiliary for the night office (Matins) of the Easter octave. With one red initial, red Lombardic initials and further red rubrication. Relatively rounded early Gothic Textura. Approx. 20 to 25 lines. Written area approx. 21.6 x 6.5 cm. 29.5 x 13.4 cm. Probably from the southern German-speaking region (Bavaria or Austria), c. 1250–1300. On the palaeography: The script is a careful early Gothic Textura, still relatively rounded, written by a single hand. The red rubrics were probably written by the same scribe. Characteristic features include the two-compartment ‘a’, the predominantly uncial ‘d’, round and long forms of ‘s’, and, in places, a round ‘r’ following round letters. There are also curved strokes (bows), ‘ct’ and ‘st’ ligatures, and moderate breaking of the stems without pronounced quadrangles. The system of abbreviation is the usual one (nasal bar, ‘p’ abbreviations, nomina sacra). Punctuation is by punctus and punctus elevatus. No corrections or later additions are visible. The dating to the second half of the 13th century, possibly c. 1300, is based on the Textura script, which is not yet strictly formalised, and on the plain Lombardic decoration. Regarding the content: This item is a fragment of a homiliary, that is, a collection of sermons on the Gospels for the liturgical year, in this case for Holy Week. The rubric ‘Sexta’ refers to the reading for Friday. Commentaries on three Gospel passages can be identified. The first concerns John 20:11–18, Mary Magdalene at the tomb. The following are legible: ‘Maria stabat ad monumentum foris plorans’ and ‘Mulier quid ploras?’, as well as the interpretation of the two angels in white garments sitting at the head and foot of the tomb. The sermon interprets them as a symbol of the two Testaments and begins with a reference to Mary’s ardent love. The second passage is John 21, the miraculous catch of fish. It speaks of fishing and of casting the net on the right-hand side, with an allegorical interpretation referring to the Church and the elect. The third is Matthew 28:16–17, concerning the eleven disciples going to the mountain in Galilee. The commentary deals with the number twelve of the apostles, the election of Matthias, and the doubt felt by some of the disciples. The wording of the commentary on John 20 is clearly reminiscent of the Gospel homilies of Gregory the Great (Homiliae in Evangelia, Hom. 25). The other sections could also be by Gregory, or taken from another homiliary, for example by Haymo of Auxerre or Bede. This lot is subject to standard tax. A 24.95% buyer’s premium is payable on the hammer price, and 7% (Books and Art) or 19% VAT (Manuscripts, Screenprints, Offset Prints, Photographs) is payable on the final invoice amount within the European Union. This lot is subject to the standard tax regime. A 24.95% buyer’s premium applies to the hammer price, and 7% (books and art) or 19% VAT (manuscripts, screen prints, offset prints and photographs) applies to the final invoice amount within the European Union.
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About the sale Valuable books, prints, historical photographs
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Auction time 10/24/2026 at 10:00 AM
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