Images of Medieval Art and Architecture
The Treasure of Saint Denis
Ivory Plaques of David and Solomon attached to Book of
Gospels and Letters
Images
Félibien's Engravings
Adapted from Félibien, Plate II, Item Z
|
Adapted from Félibien, Plate II, Item Z
|
Existing Objects
Paris, Louvre
MR 373
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Paris, Louvre
MR 372
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Texts
Description
There are also some vey ancient manuscripts whose covers
are for the most part extremely rich.
Félibien, pages 540. Translated by Jane Vadnal.
Subsequent History
- In Félibien's engraving, made in 1706, the plaques were attached
to book covers on two seperate volumes.
- On December 5, 1793, when they were sent to the Louvre, both plaques
were attached to the same manuscript
- Manuscript was sent to the Bibliotheque Nationale in 1881, where it
is numbered as Nouv. Acq. lat. 307
- Plaques currently in the Louvre, Paris, numbers MR 372-3
Louvre, p. 146-7.
Notes
- Manuscript
- Parchment, 129 folios
- Height 20 cm, Width, 14 cm.
- Subject Matter: Readings for services, Sundays, holidays, and Saints
Days, in the order they would be used in the Liturgical year.
- Plaque of the Judgement of Solomon:
- Height 13.5 cm, width 8.9 cm
- Made of elephant ivory.
- Probably made France in the 10th or 11th century
- Subject matter: Border of acanthus leaves, Upper level: King Solomon
seated, with two soldiers on each side. Lower level: the two women claiming
the child (left) Soldiers about to kill the child (right)
- Plaque of David Dictating Pslams:
- Height 14 cm, width 8.4 cm
- Made of elephant ivory.
- Probably made France in the 10th or 11th century
- Subject matter: Border of acanthus leaves, Upper level: King David
seated, with two soldiers on each side. Lower level: Four scribes write
books and scrolls
Louvre, p. 144-7
Comparative Material
Click here to see other manuscripts
in the Treasure of Saint-Denis.
Bibliography
Félibien, pages 540.
Louvre, no. 21, pp. 144-7.
Montesquiou-Fezensac, I and II, no. 98, III, pp. 72-3, pl 56-7
Stahl, H. "The problem of Manuscript Painting at Saint Denis during
the Abbacy of Suger", in Gerson,(1986) pp 163-18.
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Created by J Vadnal, July, 1998