nunc id vides, nunc ne vides

[gulushthreads]

[freshstitches]

Demo for embroidery, a craft that I do not have the patience for.

[tephra]

A very nice and clear demonstration of making a French knot.

[bodleianlibs]

Giving notice of two strange, wonderful and remarkable monstrous creatures. 

[discardingimages]

calligraphic falconer

Torah, Germany ca. 1250-1299

BL, Add 21160, fol. 181v

[vsthepomegranate]

Detail of a helmet found at Sutton Hoo, England

[nunc-id-vides]

A replica, but still fantastic.

[museum-of-artifacts]

Macclesfield Psalter, England ca. 1330-1340 (Cambridge, Fitzwilliam Museum, MS 1-2005, fol. 15r)

[discardingimages]

eared owl

‘The Maastricht Hours’, Liège 14th century

BL, Stowe 17, fol. 24v

[turnbullrarebooks]

This lovely illustration of a woman tuning a harp comes from a 12th-century copy of Boethius’s De musica. The manuscript, which is the oldest complete book in New Zealand, comprises two major texts on music, the second being Guido of Arezzo’s Micrologus.

The manuscript was purchased by Alexander H. Turnbull from the London firm of Bernard Quaritch in 1900. For further details, see the library’s on-line description written by our former Curator of Rare Books and Fine Printing, Ruth Lightbourne:

https://natlib.govt.nz/researchers/guides/boethius-and-guido-of-arezzo

Boethius, De musica, and Guido of Arezzo, Micrologus, France or England (probably Christ Church, Canterbury), twelfth century, 102 leaves, Alexander Turnbull Library, MSR-05.

[cleonibbles]

02 / ∞ pieces of literature that stole my soul

“Now, Mister Mate,” said Captain John, “let’s go and explore.”

“The first thing to do,” said Susan, “is to find the best place for our camp.”

“Not to easily seen from anywhere,” said Titty.

“We want a flat bit of ground with trees to hold tents up,” said John.

“And a good place for a fire,” said Susan.

“Is it safe to leave the things here?” said Titty. “There might be a tidal wave, forty feet high, washing over everything.”

“Not as big as that,” said John. “That would cover the island.”

“Hullo, where’s that boy?” said the mate. The Boy Roger was exploring already. Just then he shouted from close to them, behind some bushes.

“Someone’s had a fire here before.”

Swallows and Amazons (1930) by Arthur Ransome

[peripheralpal]

initial e

Psalter with Anglo-Saxon gloss (Codex Vossianus). 10c

[sexycodicology]

Details from the rear cover of the Lindau Gospels.

Gilt silver, enamel, and jeweled bookcover

[Probably Salzburg, ca. 760–90]

Earlier binding used as lower cover on Lindau Gospels, Abbey of St. Gall, Switzerland, late ninth century

350 x 275 mm

Purchased by Pierpont Morgan, 1901; MS M. 1

Source: http://j.mp/1eJFIlc

[medievalart]

Happy Easter ! :-) :-)

[inacom]

A scribe copies from an exemplar, L'Estoire del Saint Graal (British Library MS Royal 14 E III, fol. 6v), c. 1300-1315.

[discardingimages]

snail riding a cat

Letters of St. Augustine, Anjou 15th century

Marseille, Bibliothèque municipale, ms. 209, fol. 223r

[discardingimages]

apocalyptic dragon (Revelation 12:15)

Apocalypse, Saint-Amand Abbey 9th century

Valenciennes, Bibliothèque municipale, ms. 99, fol. 24r

[discworldquotes]

Fingers-Mazda, the first thief in the world, stole fire from the gods. But he was unable to fence it. It was too hot.† †He got really burned on that deal.

Terry Pratchett, Men at Arms (via discworldquotes)

[discworldquotes]

There are the Brothers of Cool, a reserved and secretive sect which believes that only through ultimate coolness can the universe be comprehended, and that black works with everything, and that chrome will never truly go out of style.

Terry Pratchett, Thief of Time (via discworldquotes)

[cityoflondonlibraries]

@LdnMetArchives: The oldest document in City of London archives is 950 years old this year and on display now - http://bit.ly/2jpvvSm

The 1067 charter of William I is now 950 years old and is the oldest item from the City of London Corporation’s 100 km of archives.

The charter was given to the City by William the Conqueror soon after he was crowned at Westminster, but before he entered the City of London. It is key to how William won the support of London and how the City itself began to gain its special autonomy.

Written in Old English, the Charter is tiny, less than 16cm x 2cm in size with one of the earliest seal impressions of William I.

I’m not imagining a sea mammal wearing a crown, I’m not…

On exhibit at the City of London Heritage Gallery!