MS. Montagu e. 9

Decoration

Fine borders, historiated initial, other initials. (Pächt and Alexander ii. 995, pl. LXXXI)

fol. 4r

• Type initial B(eatus)
• Subject 4-line gold initial, decorated with floral, zoomorphic and anthropomorphic designs, on blue background in rectangular frame; infilled with a figure of nimbed King David, kneeling in prayer with landscape in the background.
• Type full border
• Subject Rectangular border with gold floral, zoomorphic and anthropomorphic designs, including beasts, birds, grotesques, masks, human figures and coiled tendrils with leaves, on red, green and blue background. Eight medallions, seven formed by gemmed rings and one, in the lower margin, supported by two putti. Two of the medallions (left and right margins) are infilled with the arms of the Medici; six are infilled with the emblems of the Medici: three ostrich feathers with ‘semper’ written on a white scroll and double yoke, surmounted by N, with ‘svave’ written on a white scroll.

2- to 3-line gold initials with floral, zoomorphic and anthropomorphic designs, in rectangular frames, on red, blue and green background with gold dots and arabesque designs, decorated with coats of arms and emblems of the Medici (gemmed ring, double yoke, sometimes surmounted by N, three ostrich feathers); borders in left margins formed by strips with emblems of the Medici (gemmed ring, double yoke, sometimes surmounted by N, three ostrich feathers, lion masks, staff raguly, silver scroll sometimes with lettering ‘semper’) on white background, often with silver dots, or on red and blue background, often with gold dots and arabesque designs, at the beginning of psalms 11 (fol. 14v), 21 (fol. 26r), 36 (fol. 45v), 46 (fol. 61r), 56 (fol. 73v), 66 (fol. 84v), 86 (fol. 115v), 96 (fol. 128v), 111 (fol. 151r), 121 (fol. 169r), 131 (fol. 174v), 141 (fol. 184v), the beginning of the canticles (fol. 194r) and prayers before mass (fol. 211v). 3-line initial, without border is at the start of daily canticles, fol. 205r.

2-line gold initials with floral, zoomorphic and anthropomorphic designs, in square frames, on red, blue and green background, sometimes with gold dots and arabesque designs, decorated with various devices and emblems of the Medici (gemmed ring, staff raguly, silver scroll, double yoke sometimes surmounted by N) at the beginning of prayers, psalms and canticles. Guide letters occasionally preserved in the margins.

Plain gold initials on alternating red, blue and green background at the beginning of verses and periods.