13th Century Psalter Leaf Drowning (1 results)

No Binding. Condition: Near Fine. PSALTER LEAF] manuscript on vellum, [Germany, mid-13th century]. 30 x 20 cm. Featuring Psalm 69: "Salvum me fac, Deus, quoniam intraverunt aquæ usque ad animam meam" ("Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my soul"). Simple wood frame, not examined out of frame.The leaf includes a historiated initial 'S' depicting angels rescuing a drowning figure, symbolizing God's intervention and mercy, and reinforcing the hope for salvation. This is a rare and early example of great interest for both the historiated initial and the square notes, highlighting its contemporary relation to Franco of Cologne's Ars cantus mensurabilis, a precursor to modern musical notation. (See also another leaf we catalogued from the presumed same manuscript, albeit obtained from separate collections.).…