Friday, 24 November 2006

Lippoldsberger Evangeliar

The Lippoldsberger Evangeliar (aka Hardehäuser Evangeliar, Lippoldsberger Gospels) was created between 1150 and 1170 in Helmarshausen for The nuns of Lippoldsberg. The book dissapeared/was destroyed by bombs at the end of the 2nd worldwar. Black and white photographs were taken of part of the manuscript in 1932, and one colour copy of the dedication page was made.

A history of the manuscript (in german) and the remaining images of the manuscript can are now online. There aren't many images, but they are quite detailed and lovely. The book must have been really spectacular.

Below are comments on a few selected pages.

Mary and Child
  • An enveloping cloak that also acts as veil covers Mary from waist up.
  • The cloak has some trim on the bottom edges and also head hole.
  • The cloak could concievably have corners , but can't be sure.
  • Under this a calf length tunic made from patterned fabric. (some sort of repeating rondell or vaugely circular motif)
  • The hem of the tunic is decorated with trim.
  • A white/whiteish coloured floor length layer (chemise?) is under the tunic.


Birth of Jesus
  • plaits/locks of hair escaping veil?
  • Tunic decorated at collar and cuff
  • sleeves only flare slightly







Dedication page
  • As far as I can tell this page is a modern copy, not a photo of the original.
  • 3 nuns in the border and the abess in the bottom of the picture
  • The nuns wear blue or black tunics (habbits) - the way those and their veils alternate in colour makes me think maybe they are all black, and the colour is just used to show borders better
  • The habbits look to be generic loose tunics with slightly flared sleeves
  • The veils are 2 piece - a white section (barbette?) close to head and neck, and a dark cloth that sits on top of this.


ascension
  • We can't see much but Mary's cloak, which also acts as veil
  • note the cloak has corners at front bottom







The 3 Magi
  • large square decoration about the collar's like I've seen on several extant examples. One is the Sicilian King William II's alb. I was going to write more on this, but I think it deserves it's own post later.

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