New York City (NY), Columbia University - Butler Library - Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Plimpton MS 040G

Cantus Siglum

US-NYcub Plimpton MS 040G

Holding Institution

New York City (NY), Columbia University - Butler Library - Rare Book and Manuscript Library (US-NYcub)

Manuscript/Print

Manuscript

Summary

Fourteenth-century folio from a psalter originating in Italy. Parchment measuring 534 x 390 mm with 15 lines of text on the recto side and 14 lines of text on the verso side. No musical notation. formal gothic liturgical book hand. (Summary based on information from Digital Scriptorium 1.0)

Liturgical Occasions

Fer. ii per annum.

Description

Folio 1r–1v: Psalter Fragment with Hymn “Somno refectis”
Italy, c. 1475–1499
Parchment, ink, pigments, and gold leaf
Formal Gothic book hand

This single folio, from a psalter, includes part of Monday Matins and the hymn “Somno Refectis.” Written in a formal Gothic bookhand, the leaf features alternating red and blue pen-flourished initials marking the divisions of the text.

Folio 1r
The Arabic numeral 60, likely from a later foliation, appears in the top right corner. The first lines have a lengthy rubric, followed by incipits and the hymn.

The page lacks musical notation, consistent with its function as part of a Psalter rather than a gradual or antiphoner. The surface shows some ink wear. Each verse of the hymn is introduced with a pen-flourished initial.

Folio 1v
This side features a large historiated initial "D", illustrating King David praying on the Mount of Olives with a background of trees and a countryside landscape with rays of golden light descending from the sky. David is depicted in a yellow robe with blue detailing and kneeling in prayer. The initial "D" is red with white tracery and is adorned with foliate spray in green and blue, accented with a red flower on its right side. The border features an extensive gold-leaf ground, now cracked and worn with some outlined sections and small notches.

Extending vertically along the left side of the page, the vegetal scroll emerges from a cornucopia. It contains detailed leaves, flowers, and whimsical figures, including a blue and red grotesque and a white bird-like creature with green wings and tail. The foliate elements include green, blue, red, pink, grey, white, and brown tones, with delicate white tracing.

Additional modern annotations include “1180” written in pencil in the upper left corner, followed by a cursive inscription, and a price mark of “85 dollars” in the lower right corner.

(Information provided by Digital Scriptorium.)

Full/Partial Inventory

Full Inventory

Complete Source/Fragment

Fragment