Stony Brook University Libraries Digital Projects and Exhibits

Items

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  Epistolary: Epistolarium

  Leaf 37. "Epistolaries are among the rarest of liturgical manuscripts. Their text consists of the Epistles and Gospels with lessons from the Old Testament for particular occasions. Sometimes, as in this leaf, they had interlinear neumes in red neumes in red to assist the deacon or sub-deacon in chanting parts of this section of the church service while he was standing on the second step in front of the altar. This text is written in well executed rotunda gothic script with cold Lombardic intitials. Some of the filigree decoration which surrounds the initial letters has faded because it was executed in some of the fugitive colors which were then prepared from the juices of such flowers and plants as tumeric, saffron, lilies, and prugnameroli (buckthorn berries)" (Ege).
  Original medium: Manuscript
  Date: 15th c.