[Manuscript illumination: Initial]
Collection:CSM Museum & Study Collection
Date: early - mid 13th century
Medium: Paint, gold leaf on parchment
Object number: F.35.2
DescriptionAlthough this would originally have been a historiated major initial, most of the gold rectilinear ground and any extended decoration (such as foliate flourishing, as is common among such initials) has been lost to the knife of the vandal. We have been left with the inhabitant of the initial (probably an 'A', rendered in blue'grey with white/silver overpainting) who can be identified as Christ (because of the cross in his halo); set against a blue background (infill) with decorative white overpainting.