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Gospel Book (so-called Small Bernward Gospel)

Northeast French and German (Hildesheim)

Not on view

The precious materials constituting this small gospel book were assembled in several stages. The manuscript was already a hundred years old when Bernward of Hildesheim commissioned a new cover, which likely included the tenthcentury Byzantine ivory we see at the center. The bejeweled frame is a twelfth-century addition, probably in honor of Bernward’s canonization. With the bold monogram on the back cover, Bernward asserts his status as owner and patron.

Gospel Book (so-called Small Bernward Gospel), Mss: Opaque paint, gold, and silver on parchment; Binding and front cover: Leather, copper worked in vernis brun; gilded copper, rock crystal, paint on parchment under horn (?) on oak. Byzantine ivory plaque, Northeast French and German (Hildesheim)

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Gospel Book (so-called Small Bernward Gospel), Mss: Opaque paint, gold, and silver on parchment; Binding and front cover: Leather, copper worked in vernis brun; gilded copper, rock crystal, paint on parchment under horn (?) on oak. Byzantine ivory plaque, Northeast French and German (Hildesheim)
Gospel Book (so-called Small Bernward Gospel), Mss: Opaque paint, gold, and silver on parchment; Binding and front cover: Leather, copper worked in vernis brun; gilded copper, rock crystal, paint on parchment under horn (?) on oak. Byzantine ivory plaque, Northeast French and German (Hildesheim)
Gospel Book (so-called Small Bernward Gospel), Mss: Opaque paint, gold, and silver on parchment; Binding and front cover: Leather, copper worked in vernis brun; gilded copper, rock crystal, paint on parchment under horn (?) on oak. Byzantine ivory plaque, Northeast French and German (Hildesheim)
Gospel Book (so-called Small Bernward Gospel), Mss: Opaque paint, gold, and silver on parchment; Binding and front cover: Leather, copper worked in vernis brun; gilded copper, rock crystal, paint on parchment under horn (?) on oak. Byzantine ivory plaque, Northeast French and German (Hildesheim)

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