Thursday - November 18, 2010

ancient manuscript expected to fetch up to two million at auction

What greatly surprises me is the price. 14th century and the subject matter? If I had that kind of pocket money I’d bid till I owned it. Then give it to the British Museum, I swear I would. It belongs here, nowhere else. Gosh I would love to actually see this and maybe even hold it. Now this is treasure. See the link for more and bigger pix.
Amazing that they could put this together. No electricity, no computers, no photoshop.

The Holy Grail of manuscripts: 14th century King Arthur text to be auctioned at Sotheby’s

By Daily Mail Reporter

A 14th century manuscript containing what is believed to be the oldest surviving account of the legends of King Arthur is to be sold for up to £2 million, it was announced today.

The Rochefoucauld Grail, a colourful, illustrated account of the knights of the round table is said to be one of the finest medieval texts in private hands.

It is due to be sold by auction house Sotheby’s in London for a price estimated between £1.5 million and £2 million.

Blood and guts: This picture from the manuscript shows King Arthur fighting the Saxons.

More than 200 cows would have been needed to produce the vellum sheets for the three hefty volumes of the manuscript, which contains 107 finely painted illustrations.

It was written in Flanders or Artois some time between 1315 and 1323 and probably produced for Guy VII, Baron de Rochefoucauld, head of one of the leading aristocratic families of medieval France.

The manuscript went on to be acquired by 19th century collector Sir Thomas Phillipps and has changed hands twice since.

Lady in the lake: The image on the left depicts the lady with Sir Lancelot as a baby, while the image on the right shows the intricate details are not left just to the illustrations

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Posted by peiper     on 11/18/2010 at 08:31 AM   
Filed Under: • Art-Photography • History • UK •  
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