[Manuscript illumination: Initial]
Collection:CSM Museum & Study Collection
Date: early - mid 13th century
Medium: Ink, paint and gold leaf on parchment
Object number: F.34.5
DescriptionHistoriated major initial 'Q' (in pink) set on a gold rectilinear ground (with black outlining) infilled with blue and with decorative extensions (of acanthus). Inhabited by the face of a man (who resembles the same figure found in F.33.6 & 8). The house has turned an odd shade of black/green suggesting that verdi-gris was the pigment used (or in fact, silver). Exposure to oxygen over time will cause both elements to end up looking like this particular example; that is, dull and coroded.