Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Psalter
France, possibly Saint-Omer, 13th century
MS M.79 fol. 94r

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Psalm 081 (Vulg., 080) -- Initial E of Exultate enclosing David, crowned, seated on bench, with both hands raising hammers to two of five bells suspended on pole (cymbala), all beneath three trefoil arches, the whole perched on by hybrid two-legged animal; the initial’s descender extending across left, lower, and right margins, partly formed by dragon-like hybrid animal biting frame, the whole perched on by monkey as musician, with right hand raising trumpet to mouth and with left hand playing bell; fantastic bird perched in right margin. Initial E and marginal illustrations of Psalm 81.