Single cutting, with large initial 'Q' in bands of red enclosing geometric patterns in blank vellum, and with a foliate tail, the initial enclosing mirrored sprays of blue foliage, remains of red initials and 5 lines of text with music arranged around a red clef line, reverse with same text as well as a tall red initial and remains of a red rubric, all with small spots and stains and marks from former attachment to a mount, overall in excellent condition, 110 by 110mm
The simple and visually arresting foliate decoration here is of a form championed by the Cistercian Order (founded at Citeaux in 1098, and rapidly spreading through Europe), presumably as their vows concerning the eschewing of lavish ornament meant they could not adorn their books with gold and paintings, and so raised the decoration of humble initials to new heights in the pre-Gothic period. The vivid dark blue here is ultramarine, a pigment extracted from lapis lazuli imported to Europe from Afghanistan, and used to display simple opulence
