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Boethius, Anicius Manlius Torquatus Severinus ca 480-524 : Consolatio Philosophiae (Consolation of Philosophy)
- Date
- [ca 1425-1450]
- By
- Boethius, -524; Ilott, John Moody Albert (Sir), 1884-1973
- Reference
- MSR-19
- Description
The manuscript opens without heading on f.1, 'Carmina qui quondam studio florente peregi...' (historiated initial of Boethius, bareheaded, with open book), followed by Book II, 'Post hec paulisper...' (f.11, historiated initial of Boethius with raised finger), Book III, 'Iam canticum illa finierat...' (f.24, historiated initial of Philosophy), Book IV, 'Hec cum philosophia...' (f.42v, historiated initial of Philosophy), and Book V, 'Dixerat orationisque cursum...' (f.59, historiated initial of Providence), all ending on f.70v, '... agitis iudiciis cuncta cornentis'.
Quantity: 1 volume(s).
Physical Description: Vellum, 70 leaves, bound; 289 x 218 mm. Single column, 27 lines, ruled in plummet, written space 169 x 120 mm, written in dark-brown ink in a rounded gothic bookhand, verse sections with opening letters of lines set slightly apart, capitals touched in yellow.
Finding Aids: Manion, M.M. Medieval and Renaissance manuscripts in New Zealand collections, no.146..
Provenance: Executed in Italy (probably Lombardy) in the 15th century. The arms of the original owner on f.1 have been heavily painted-out with a simple pattern, per fasc. or and azure. There is a trace of an ownership inscription on f.70v beginning 'Iste liber...' and dated 1520, and of another inscription dated 15 October 15[..]. The manuscript has the bookplate of Henry White; his sale at Sotheby's, 21 April 1902, lot 296. It has the bookplate of Michael Tomkinson (1841-1921) and was lot 1163 in his sale at Sotheby's, 3 July 1922, purchased by Sir John Ilott.
- Access restrictions
- Partly restricted - Please use surrogate in place of original
- Format
- 1 volume(s), Illuminated manuscripts, Parchment, Vellum, 70 leaves, bound; 289 x 218 mm., Single column, 27 lines, ruled in plummet, written space 169 x 120 mm, written in dark-brown ink in a rounded gothic bookhand, verse sections with opening letters of lines set slightly apart, capitals touched in yellow., Binding: 19th-century brown calf, gilt edges; green case., Decoration: 2-line initials throughout alternately in red and blue with violet and red penwork respectively. Five historiated initials (7- to 11-line) introduce individual books. They are of foliate design with partial leafy borders and burnished gold surrounds. Colours for the ensemble of initial, border and figurative infill are green, purple, crimson, blue, aqua, pink, yellow and orange; patterns are in white nd yellow. The initials have bust or three-quarter length figures in profile or three-quarter view except for the 'I' on f.24, whose elongated shape accommodates a kneeling figure. Folio 1 has a three-sided acanthus leaf border, with a shield (painted over) flanked by flowers in the bottom margin. A sketch of the 'pelican in her piety' in the middle of the right hand border is a later addition. Other more sketchy later marginal drawings added are: f.11, a man in a toga; f.21v, an angel; f.22, two snakes; f.23, a monster with heads of an eagle and of a dog with snakes entwining its body; f.24, a dragon; f.70, three bearded men. The style of the illumination points to Lombardy, possibly Milan. Indicative are the portrait heads, the sharp profiles and elongated finger gestures, together with the initial and partial border shapes and the colour scheme (see Manion).
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Boethius, -524. Boethius, Anicius Manlius Torquatus Severinus ca 480-524 : Consolatio Philosophiae (Consolation of Philosophy). Ref: MSR-19. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/23043668More information can be found in our terms of use.
Copyright
UnknownFirst page of Book I with historiated initial
Date: 1425-1450
From: Boethius, Anicius Manlius Torquatus Severinus ca 480-524 : Consolatio Philosophiae (Consolation of Philosophy)
Reference: MSR-19-f001r
Description: Leaf from Boethius' treatise on philosophy. Folio I has a three-sided acanthus leaf border, with a shield (painted over) flanked by flowers in the bottom margin. A sketch of the `pelican in her piety' in the middle of the right hand border is a later addition. Historiated initial "C' depicts Boethius, bareheaded, with open book. A grid behind him indicates his confinement in prison and his hand is raised in a gesture of exposition. Colours for intitial and borders include green, purple, blue, orange with burnished gold surrounds. The text begins "Carmina qui quondam studio florente peregi..." Quantity: 1 page. Physical Description: Ms on vellum, 289 x 218mm Finding Aids: Manion No. 146.
First page of Book III with historiated initial
Date: 1425-1450
From: Boethius, Anicius Manlius Torquatus Severinus ca 480-524 : Consolatio Philosophiae (Consolation of Philosophy)
Reference: MSR-19-f024r
Description: Leaf from Boethius' treatise on philosophy. Folio 24 includes historiated initial "I" depicting an elongated shape (the kneeling figure of Philosophy in her red robe). A marginal drawing at the top of the page is of a green dragon. Colours for intitial and borders include green, purple, blue, orange with burnished gold surrounds. The text begins "Iam canticum illa finierat..." Quantity: 1 page. Physical Description: Ms on vellum, 289 x 218mm Finding Aids: Manion No. 146.