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Manchester. The John Rylands Library, Hebrew MS 8

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Source
Manchester Digital Collections
Library
The John Rylands Library
Shelfmark
  • Hebrew MS 8
Biblissima authority file
Date
  • 1460-1470
Language
  • Hebrew
Title
  • Commentary on the Pentateuch by Nachmanides (פירוש התורה לרמב"ן)
Agent
  • Preferred form
    • Alexander William Crawford Lindsay (1812-1880)
    Role
    • Former owner
    Original form
    • Alexander Lindsay, 25th Earl of Crawford
    • Crawford, Alexander Crawford Lindsay, Earl of, 1812-1880
    Biblissima authority file
  • Preferred form
    • Bernard Quaritch (1819-1899)
    Role
    • Former owner
    Original form
    • Bernard Quaritch (b. 1819, d. 1899), bookseller and publisher
    • Quaritch, Bernard, 1819-1899
    Other form
    • Quaritch, Bernard (1819-1899)
    • Bernard Quaritch
    • Bernard Quaritch, 1819-1899
    • Bernard Quaritch 1819-1899
    • Bernard Quaritch, Limited
    • Bernard Quaritch (1819-1899), bookseller and publisher
    • see more
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    Biblissima authority file
  • Preferred form
    • Rabbi Coronel
    Role
    • Former owner
    Original form
    • Rabbi Coronel
    Biblissima authority file
  • Preferred form
    • Michael Solomon Alexander (1799-1845)
    Role
    • Former owner
    Original form
    • Michael Alexander
    • Alexander, Michael Solomon, 1799-1845
    Biblissima authority file
  • Preferred form
    • Moïse ben Naḥman de Gérone (1194-1270)
    Role
    • Author
    Original form
    • Moshe ben Nahman, ca. 1195-ca. 1270
    • משה בן נחמן, 1194-1270
    • Nachmanides
    Other form
    • Moïse ben Naḥman de Gérone (1194-1270)
    • Mošeh ben Naḥman (1194-1270)משה בן נחמן (1194-1270)
    • Moïse ben Nachman
    • Mošeh ben Naḥman (1194-1270)
    • Moïse ben Naḥman de Gérone
    • ‫ משה בן נחמן
    • Nahmanide
    • Moïse ben Nahman (1194-1270)
    • ‫ משה בן נחמן, 1194-1270
    • Moïse ben Nahman de Gérone
    • Moïse ben Naḥman de Gérone (1194-1270)
    • Naḥmanides
    • Moses ben Naḥman
    • Mosheh ben Naḥman
    • Ben Nahman, Moisés, 1194-1270
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  • Preferred form
    • Giovanni Antonio Costanzi (1705?-1785)
    Role
    • Censor
    Original form
    • Costanzi, Giovanni Antonio
    • Gio An.to Costanzi
    Biblissima authority file
  • Preferred form
    • Enriqueta Augustina Rylands (1843-1908)
    Role
    • Former owner
    Original form
    • Enriqueta Rylands
    Biblissima authority file
  • Preferred form
    • James Ludovic Lindsay (comte de Crawford, 1847-1913)
    Role
    • Former owner
    Original form
    • James Lindsay, 26th Earl of Crawford of Haigh Hall
    • Crawford, James Ludovic Lindsay, Earl of, 1847-1913
    Other form
    • Lindsay, James Ludovic, Earl (1847-1913)
    • James Ludovic Lindsay, 26th Earl of Crawford
    • Lindsay, James Ludovic (1847-1913)
    • James Ludovic Lindsay (b. 1847, d. 1913), peer and collector
    • James Ludovic Lindsay (b. 1847, d. 1913), 26th Earl of Crawford
    • Lindsay, James Ludovic, 1847-1913
    • James Ludovic Lindsay, 26th Earl of Crawford, 1847-1913
    • James Ludovic Lindsay, 26th Earl of Crawford 1847-1913
    • James Ludovic Lindsay, 1847-1913, 26th Earl of Crawford
    • James Ludovic Lindsay 1847-1913, 26th Earl of Crawford
    • Lindsay, James Ludovic, 1847-1913, 26th Earl of Crawford
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Description
  • Extent:
    256 ff. (256+i) Leaf height: 333 mm, width: 237 mm.
    Binding:

    Brown leather binding. On spine gold-tooling of flower motives in the fields created by the sewing strips. No tooling on front or back covers. Sewn on five strips of leather. Text block edges decorated with red ink dots.


    Decoration:
    The manuscript includes six illuminated pages. The artist's identity is unknown, although there is some debate on this. The manuscript was identified by R. Schilling as a valuable addition to the oeuvre of Francesco d’Antonio del Cherico, one of the foremost miniature painters of Florence in the second half of the fifteenth century. He had a large, select clientele including Cosimo and Lorenzo de Medici and some wealthy Jews. A. Garzelli and A.C. De la Mare, however, argue that this is certainly an early work by Mariano del Buono, made around 1465-1470.Folio 1a: Red and blue painted gilt-bordered fields for the initial word in gilded letters (בשם). The margins of the page are filled with an elaborately decorated border which includes cherubs and animals on a background of red, blue, green and pink painted floral motifs, gilding and black penwork. Top of page: four cherubs pulling a grass floor. Left margin (from top to bottom): cherub and a peacock in gilded frame; a sitting doe; cherub with tambourine in gilded frame; centaur fighting a bear; face of a male figure; cherub with a flute in gilded frame. Bottom of page: painted depiction of a leopard and a lemon / orange tree in a round painted green gilt-bordered field. Around the depiction of the leopard are four cherubs (clockwise from upper right): cherub with owl; twice a cherub riding a hare; cherub and a bird. Right margin (bottom to top): cherub with triangle in gilded frame; two birds; flower in gilded frame; a bird and a hare; cherub climbing to pick fruit.
    Folio 2b: Gilded initial-word בראשית in red and blue painted gilt-bordered fields. Similar decorations in the margins. The margins of the page are filled with an elaborately decorated border which includes cherubs and animals on a background of white interlaced branches with painted pink, blue and green compartments, gilding and black penwork. Top of page: cherub in a gilded frame in the middle and cherubs on his left and right side. Left margin (from top to bottom): cherub feeding a bird; flower in a gilded frame; cherub blowing a trumpet; cherub with drum in gilded frame. Bottom of page: a sitting leopard with a lemon / orange tree in a gilt-bordered laurel. On both sides of the lion are three cherubs, hanging a garland. Right margin (bottom to top): cherub blowing a flute in a gilded frame; two birds; a jar; cherub with doe and two birds; cherub holding an object (another instrument?); cherub with fox and bird; cherub with tambourine in a gilded frame.
    Folio 70b: Initial-words written in black ink: סדר ואלה שמות. The margins of the page are filled with an elaborately decorated border which includes cherubs and animals on a background of blue, green and pink painted floral motifs. Top of page: yellow flower on green painted field with gilded frame; on its left side a doe and on its right side a hare. Left margin (from top to bottom): cherub and a doe in gilded frame; a bird; climbing cherub; vase; posing cherub in gilded frame; bird; drinking cherub in gilded frame. Bottom of page: in the centre a sitting leopard with a lemon / orange tree in a gilt-bordered laurel. Surrounding the frame are four cherubs. Right margin (from bottom to top): cherub in gilded frame (seen from the back); two standing cherubs blowing a trumpet; cherub standing on one leg in gilded frame; a vase with on its left side a cherub playing a violin, on its right side a cherub playing the cither; two birds; a cherub sitting on a bird in a gilded frame.
    Folio 128b: Initial-words ספר ויקרא written on a blank field within a red painted and gilded frame. Initial-words סדר ויקרא written on a blank field within a red painted and gilded frame. The margins of the page are filled with an elaborately decorated border which includes cherubs and animals on a background of white interlaced branches with painted pink, blue and green compartments, gilding and black penwork. Top of page: yellow flower on green painted field and gilded frame in the middle; on its left side a cherub sitting on a fox and on its right side a cherub riding on a bear and holding a whip. Left margin (from top to bottom): cherub blowing a trumpet in gilded frame; cherub cuddling a hare; two birds; standing cherub holding a round gilt-bordered frame with the depiction of a hare; bird; cherub with dead hare on his back. Bottom of page: in the centre a sitting leopard with a lemon / orange tree in a gilt-bordered laurel. Surrounding the frame are four cherubs. Right margin (bottom to top): cherub holding a bird in a gilded frame; hare with a bird; two cherubs holding grapes; cherub playing with an animal in gilded frame; two birds sitting on the frame; cherub with fruit in his hand and a bear, he tries to ride the bear; two hares sit facing each other; cherub blowing a horn in a gilded frame.
    Folio 173a: Initial-words ספר במדבר סיני in a pink painted gilt-bordered field with gilded floral decorations. Above the words is a depiction of a high priest in a gilt-bordered laurel, held by two cherubs. The margins of the page are filled with an elaborately decorated border that includes cherubs and animals on a background of white interlaced branches with painted pink, blue and green compartments, gilding and black penwork. The frame is decorated with pink, blue and green flowers, black penwork and gilding. Top of page: in the centre a flower on a painted green field in a gilded frame; on both sides a playing cherub. Left margin (from top to bottom): man holding a blank text scroll in a gilded frame; cherub and a bird; another cherub and bird, the cherub climbs down to cookies in two platters; sitting stag in gilded frame; cherub with a dog and peacock, he pours water in the dog’s mouth; cherub and piglet; a vessel; a bird; monkey holding a coconut in a gilded frame. Bottom of page (from left to right): cherub with escaping hare; cherub with drum; leopard in a gilt-bordered laurel holding a lemon / orange tree; cherub with doe; cherub with tambourine. Right margin (from bottom to top): monkey with dog in gilded frame; climbing cherub trying to catch a hare; lion sitting in a gilt-bordered frame; cherub; bird; man holding a blank text scroll.
    Folio 211a: Initial-words ספר אלה הדברים written on a blank field within a pink painted gilded frame. On the frame sit two cherubs, holding the depiction of Moses receiving the Ten Commandments on Mount Horeb and bringing them down to the people, in a gilt-bordered laurel. The margins of the page are filled with an elaborately decorated border which includes cherubs and animals on a background of red, blue, green and pink painted floral motifs, gilding and black penwork. Top of page: a painted lion in a gilded frame; on both sides a bird. Left margin (top to bottom): two cherubs sitting; a standing cherub; leopard in a gilded frame; a cherub riding a goat; two birds. Bottom of page: leopard in a gilt-bordered laurel holding a lemon / orange tree; on both sides a cherub. Right margin (from bottom to top): a sitting doe; two cherubs stand facing each other, holding a flower; two birds facing each other; two rabbits in a gilded frame; two birds; a running hare.


    Acquisition:
    Acquired by Enriqueta Rylands in 1901 from James Lindsay, 26th Earl of Crawford of Haigh Hall and later bequeathed in 1908 to the The John Rylands Library.
    Layout:

    Long line of 44 written lines. Visible hard-point ruling, margins in double lines.


    Collation:
    25V(250) + two single leaves (251-252) + 1II(256). Catchwords used as quire signatures at the bottom left corner of side b of the last folio of each quinion.
    Script:
    Italian semi-cursive script.
    Data Source(s):
    Description based on Alexander Samely's unpublished draft catalogue, description of decorations by Gabrielle Sed-Rajna, revised and expanded by Stefania Silvestri, Renate Smithuis and Nienke Valk.
    Subject(s):
    Bible Commentaries; Naḥmanides, approximately 1195-approximately 1270
    Abstract:

    This is an illuminated specimen of Nachmanides' commentary on the Pentateuch, most likely produced in fifteenth-century Italy. It has been suggested that the elaborate borders containing medallions showing animals, birds and putti were executed by the Florentine miniaturist Francesco d’Antonio del Cherico. Other scholars have suggested another Italian miniaturist, Mariano del Buono. The manuscript was censored by Giovanni Antonio Costanzi in 1769. The manuscript was purchased by Alexander Lindsay, 25th Earl of Crawford from Bernard Quaritch (b. 1819, d. 1899), bookseller and publisher in 1872. It perhaps came from a collection of Hebrew manuscripts from Palestine sold by Rabbi Coronel in London the same year. The manuscript formerly belonged to Michael Alexander, the first Anglican Bishop of Jerusalem. It bears an Italian censorship inscription dated 16 August 1769.


    Foliation:

    Modern pencil foliation in Arabic numerals at the top outer corner of side a of each folio. Folio 255 has been cut vertically in half.


    Format:
    Codex
    Material:
    Parchment
    Provenance:
    Spine: Gold-tooled lettering reading "ARAMAN / QAL ATTORA" and traces of paper label.
    Front paste-down: Handwritten in pencil number 49
    Folio 254a: Censorship note reading "Rivisto, et corretto da me s.tto, questo Libro di Biur al- / Htora, seu Expositio Legii, autore R. Mose Bar / Nachman, in compendio, detto Haramban - / scritto in Membrana, carattere Rabbinico - / q.to dì 16 Agosto 1769 - / - Gio An.to Costanzi -".
    Back paste-down: Handwritten in pencil "Hebrew MSS / No. 8".
    Back paste-down: Handwritten in pencil "Dr. Michael Alexander / Bp. of Jerusalem / £100.00".
    Back paste-down: Traces of a bookplate from the Bibliotheca Lindesiana, with shelfmark " E / 12" in pencil.


    Condition:

    Inner spine exposed between folios 210-211, quires 22 and 23 loose.


    Additions:
    Marginal corrections have been added by different hands throughout the manuscript. For examples of longer marginal notes see folios 62a, 75a, 83a, and so forth.Censorship marks are found on folios 65b-66a, 67a, 92a, 173a, 198b, 200a-201a, 241b-242a.
Place
  • Preferred form
    • Italy
    Original form
    • Italy
    Other form
    • Italie
    • Italie (?)
    • Italie (Toscane?)
    • Italie (Venise ?).
    • Italie ?
    • Italie (région de Venise ?).
    • Italie (Florence ?)
    • Italie,
    • Italie.
    • Itàlia
    • Italien
    • Italia
    • Italië
    • Italie (Toscane ?)
    • Itàlia (Toscana?)
    • Italien (Toskana?)
    • Italy (Tuscany?)
    • Italia (Toscana?)
    • Italy (Verona)
    • Italy (Naples?)
    • Italy (Florence?)
    • Italy (Naples?)(
    • Italy (Rome?)
    • Italy (Florence)
    • Italy, Bologna (?)
    • Italy, probably Naples
    • Italy, Naples
    • Italy, possibly Naples
    • Italy (perhaps Bologna)
    • Italy (Nonantola)
    • Probably Northern Italy
    • Padua or Venice
    • Italy (Tuscany)
    • Italy, northern (?)
    • Italy and France (illumination)
    • Italy and France (?)
    • Most likely northern Italy
    • Probably northern Italy (Verona?)
    • [Italy]
    • Italy, copied by Leon ben Joshua de Rossi of Cesena
    • Italy [Ancona or Pesaro?], [copied by Joseph ben Nissim Fermi?]
    • [Italy] copied by Samson ben Elijah Halfan
    • Italy, Venice?
    • Fols. 2-4: [Italy]
    • Treviglio? (Italy)
    • Fols. 1-98: [Italy]; fols. 100-302: [Italy]
    • Rovere (della Luna, Trent?) (Italy)
    • Ff. 1-64: [Italy]
    • Italy, North?
    • Italy, Bologna?
    • Italy, Reggio-Emilia?
    • Italy, Padua?
    • Italy, Ferrara or Bologna
    • Italy, Padua or Rome
    • Italy, Ferrara?
    • Italy, Genoa?
    • Italy, Probably Padua
    • Italy, Parma or Cremona?
    • Italy, Padua or Venice
    • Italy, Lombardy or Bologna?
    • Italy, Umbria?
    • Italy, Rome?
    • Italy, Ferrara or Venice?
    • Italy, Northeast?
    • Italy, Bologna or Venice?
    • Italy, Veneto, Venice?
    • Italy, Rome or Naples
    • Italy, South?
    • Italy, Florence?
    • Italy, Verona?
    • Italy, Brescia or Padua?
    • Italy, Ferrara or Padua?
    • Italy, Venice or Padua
    • Italy, Cremona Brescia? and Bologna
    • Italy, Ferrara or Verona?
    • Italy, Urbino or Mantua(?)
    • Italy, Padua or Rome?
    • Italy, Naples?
    • Italy, North?, Siena?
    • Italy, Probably Venice
    • Italy, Venice or Treviso
    • Italy, North? or French, South?
    • Italy, Mantua or Ferrara?
    • Italy, Rimini?
    • Italy, Padua or Venice?
    • Italy, Florence or Rome
    • Italy, Northwest?
    • Italy, North, Genoa?
    • Italy, Lombardy or Verona
    • Italy, Emilia?
    • Italy, Venice or Verona
    • Italy, Veneto?
    • Italy, Emilia or Mantua?
    • Italy, Northeast, Ferrara?
    • Italy, Central?
    • Italy, Genoa (?)
    • Italy, Herculaneum(?)
    • IT
    • Italy.
    • Italië (?)
    • Italia (?)
    • [Italien (Teil 1)
    • [Italien ]
    • Italien (II)
    • Italien (II.)
    • Italien (I)
    • Italien (IV)
    • Itália
    • [Italië]
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  • Preferred form
    • Florence (Tuscany, Italy)
    Original form
    • Firenze
    Other form
    • Florence
    • Florence (?)
    • Florence,
    • Florencia
    • Florència
    • Florenz
    • Italy (Florence)
    • Italy, Florence
    • [Florence]
    • Mantua and Florence
    • Florence ?
    • Firenze (IT)
    • Italy Florence.
    • [Florença,
    • [Florence
    • [Firenze
    • Firenze (Italie)
    • see more
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Rights
  • Provided by The University of Manchester. Zooming image © University of Manchester Library, All rights reserved. Images and Metadata made available for download are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0). Images and Metadata made available for download are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0).
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