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Historiated initial from a Gradual: MS 291

An image of Cutting (manuscript)

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Object information

Current Location: In storage

Titles

Historiated initial from a Gradual

Maker(s)

Artist: Master of the Cypresses

Entities

Categories

Description

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Parchment, 180 x 210 mm, two lines of fragmentary text and one fragmentary five-line musical stave ruled in red ink on reverse.

CONTENTS: The initial V would have introduced the Introit of the Mass for Ascension, Viri Galilei, quid admiramini aspicientes; on reverse, part of the Communion for Tuesday before Ascension, [Petite et accipietis] querite inveniet[is].

DECORATION: Historiated initial formed of geometric motifs and stylized acanthus on burnished gold ground, with identical border ornament: [V, 2 ll. of text and one musical stave] Ascension.

Notes

History note: F.W. Cosens, F.S.A., of Lewes, Sussex; his sale, Christie’s, London, 17-19 May 1890, lot 397; Rev. E.S. Dewick (1844–1917); presented to the Museum by his son, Rev. E.C. Dewick, in 1918.

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Given (1918) by Dewick, E. C.

People, subjects and objects depicted

Project

  • Cambridge Illuminated

Materials used in production

Gold

Components of the work

Support composed of parchment

Techniques used in production

Illumination

References and bibliographic entries

Identification numbers

Accession number: MS 291
Primary reference Number: 176490
Project ID: 3472
Stable URI

Audit data

Created: Saturday 6 August 2011 Updated: Friday 28 February 2025 Last processed: Thursday 14 August 2025

Associated departments & institutions

Owner or interested party: The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department: Manuscripts and Printed Books

Citation for print

This record can be cited in the Harvard Bibliographic style using the text below:

The Fitzwilliam Museum (2025) "Historiated initial from a Gradual" Web page available at: https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/176490 Accessed: 2025-12-05 09:46:31

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{{cite web|url=https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/176490 |title=Historiated initial from a Gradual |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2025-12-05 09:46:31|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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