Leaf Excised from a Psalter: Initial B with King David
Unknown Artist
c. 1260
Medium
tempera and gold on vellum
Dimensions
13 × 8.9 cm
Classification
Manuscript
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
Accession Number
1953.145.1
About this artwork
Traditional locations within the texts of manuscript psalters were marked by decorated initials or full-page miniatures. These miniatures designated the major divisions of the psalms as used in the daily office. The extraordinary quality of these miniatures suggests they once decorated a deluxe psalter made for a wealthy or aristocratic patron.