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Historic Manuscripts and Religious Art

A collection of intricately designed manuscript pages featuring colorful illustrations and religious themes, including canon tables, crucifixion scenes, and historical Christian imagery.

Mosaic Icon with the Crucifixion; Konstantinopel )
Mosaic Icon with the Crucifixion; Konstantinopel )
167 assets in this story
4435-5510
Vigilian or Albelda Codex. 10th c. Council of Hispanic bishops during the Visigothic domination. Preromanesque art. Miniature Painting. SPAIN. MADRID (AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITY). San Lorenzo de El Escorial. Royal Library of the Monastery of El Escorial. Proc: SPAIN. LA RIOJA. Albelda de Iregua. Monastery of Saint Martin.
4409-17504904
Womb World Mandala. Date/Period: Early 17th century. Print. Hand-coloured woodcut on paper. Height: 69 mm (2.71 in); Width: 83 mm (3.26 in). Author: UNKNOWN.
1746-21124178
Altar screen of metal, set with bone, shell, precious and semi-precious stones. From Nepal. Dated 18th Century
6145-51791289
Mont Athos, Greece , 1918 - Greece - Fernand Cuville - (September) (French - Mont Athos , Grèce). Christianity, carpet , hanging, embroidery, monastery, decorative arts, supernatural, object of worship, Middle Ages, Religion, art, human beings
1848-56644320
Natarajar Nataraja, painted strucco work in Sri Karpaga Vinayakar Temple Nagara Viduthi choultry wall in Pillaiyarpatti, Tamil Nadu, South India, India, Asia
6145-29122791
Ceremonial Offering Cakes (Torma). Tibet, 17th-18th century. Manuscripts. Opaque watercolor and ink on paper
4443-19534622
Sampler, Mary Bridge, American, Medium: silk embroidery on linen foundation Technique: embroidered in cross and marking cross stitches on plain weave foundation, The field is filled with scattered motifs of flowering trees, urns of flowers, birds, stars, and an angel. In the lower right corner, Adam and Eve flank the Tree of Knowledge, with the inscription: The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat., In the center is a four-verse hymn:, HOW beauteous are their feet,, Who stand on sion's hill;, Who bring salvation in their tongues,, And words of peace reveal., How cheering is their voice, How sweet the tidings are;, Sion behold thy savior king;, He reigns and triumphs here., How blessed are our ears, That hear this joyful sound,, Which kings and prophets waited for,, And sought, but never found., How blessed are our eyes, That see this heavenly light,, Prophets and kings desired long, But died without the sight., And the inscription, with a curving floral vine border on four sides., USA, 1
1899-18712795
The Liao Dynasty, also known as the Khitan Empire, was a state that ruled over the regions of Manchuria, Mongolia, and parts of northern China proper. It was founded by the Yelü clan of the Khitan people in the same year as the Tang Dynasty collapsed (907), even though its first ruler, Yelü Abaoji (Yaruud Ambagai Khan), did not declare an era name until 916. Although it was originally known as the Empire of the Khitan, the Emperor Yelü Ruan officially adopted the name 'Liao' (formally Great Liao’) in 947. Another name for China in English, Cathay, is derived from the name Khitan. This is also the origin of the Russian word for China, Китай or Kitay, and that of several other East European languages. The Liao Empire was destroyed by the Jurchen of the Jin Dynasty in 1125. However, remnants of its people led by Yelü Dashi established the Xi (Western) Liao Dynasty 1125-1220, also known as Kara-Khitan Khanate, which extended its influence over Central Asia into Persia and survived until t
1788-2947
Close-up of a Karabagh rug, Azerbaijan
6145-46830462
Altar Curtain with Ten Apostles and TwoEvangelists
6145-59115173
Icon: Archango Micha Archistrateg of heavenly replacements; Unknown Russian workshop (1700-1970); 19th century (1801-00-00-1900-00-00);
6145-59085165
Icon: the resurrection of Christ, the Akatist of the Lord's Passion and 16 church holidays; In the corners, images of evangelists; Unknown Russian workshop (1700-1970); 19th century (1801-00-00-1900-00-00);
1899-18788869
The Beatus of the Cathedral of El Burgo de Osma was produced in 1086 and contains 71 miniatures by the painter Martinus. The Apocalypse of John is the Book of Revelation, the last book of the New Testament.
4220-21834722
Osiris and Isis within a shrine ; before them a lotus- flower on which stand the four children of Horus, genii of the dead
7153-70513924
Myanmar. Shan State. Shwenyaung. Shwe Yan Pyae Monastery. Hundreds of niches filled with tiny Buddha statues.
6145-30174726
Page from a Notebook with Ritual Symbols 1799-1999 Mongolia. Ink and opaque watercolor on paper .
6145-29179219
Iniation Card (Tsakalis) early 15th century Tibet Tsakali cards were used by itinerant teachers moving from one monastery to another in order to evoke Vajrayana Buddhist deities. When laid on the ground in the form of a mandala, as seen here, they functioned to create a fixed sacred space like that of a temple. The deities shown on these initiation cards include the Tathagata Buddhas, various bodhisattvas, fierce protectors, and the six possible realms of rebirth seen across the bottom. They probably were made by a Nepali artist for a Tibetan patron of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism.Tsakali cards were used individually to align a disciple with a deity from the vast pantheon. First, the disciple sought permission from the deity, either through a dream or under the guidance of a teacher. The associated ritual involved visualizing the deity as described in recited mantras (incantations) and with an imagein this case, the deity represented on the tsakali.The cards form a mandala i
6145-29076685
Buddhist Vestment (Kesa) , 1700s. Japan, Edo period (1615-1868), 18th century. Silk with supplementary weft, brocaded; metal thread; average: 115.6 x 160 cm (45 1/2 x 63 in.).
4266-24461
The coat of arms of the Bagrationi dynasty by Anonymous Russian State Library, Moscow 1713 Lithograph Georgia History Graphic arts
6145-29849907
Robert Stewart and James Gross, Illuminated Parable The Sower, c 1936 Illuminated Parable: The Sower
1746-111927576
Armenian Christian illustrated manuscript showing the Gospel of Saint Matthew, 14th century
1899-18789719
The Lindisfarne Gospels is an illuminated manuscript gospel book produced around the year 700 CE in a monastery on Lindisfarne Island, off the coast of Northumberland. It is now on display in the British Library in London. The manuscript is one of the finest works in the unique style of Hiberno-Saxon or Insular art, combining Mediterranean, Anglo-Saxon and Celtic elements. The Lindisfarne Gospels are presumed to be the work of a monk named Eadfrith, who became Bishop of Lindisfarne in 698 and died in 721. Current scholarship indicates a date around 715, and it is believed they were produced in honour of St. Cuthbert. However, it is also possible that Eadfrith produced them prior to 698, in order to commemorate the elevation of Cuthbert's relics in that year, which is also thought to have been the occasion for which the St Cuthbert Gospel was produced. The Gospels are richly illustrated in the insular style, and were originally encased in a fine leather binding covered with jewels and m
4409-17279581
ANTIFONARIO MOZARABE SIGLO XI. Location: CATEDRAL-ARCHIVO. LEON. SPAIN.
6145-48884560
Saint Hedwig on Her Sickbed Surrounded by Saints; The Death of Saint Hedwig and Her Soul Received into Paradise. Unknown maker
4409-66438668
Dome with biblical scenes, Monastery of St. Saviour in Chora, 11th century, Istanbul, Turkey.
6145-59076178
Emergency deities of the care of 1801-00-00-1700-00-00);Knothe, Jerzy (1917 -2002), Knothe, Jerzy (1917 -2002)-collection, care deities (iconogr.), Chinese (culture), coil painting, Chinese art, purchase (provenance), ganglings, vertical scrolls
6145-48894745
Moses Receiving the Ten Commandments; The Israelites Dancing around the Golden Calf.
6176-67076746
The Evangelical Symbols, 800 AD, (20th century). Artist: Unknown
4409-164924
Aztec sacrificial altar and Tzompantli with skulls, miniature from a Spanish manuscript, 16th Century. Aztec Civilization. Author: DIEGO DURAN DIEGO (1537-1588). Location: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL-COLECCION. MADRID. SPAIN.
1899-18856359
The Serat Jayalengkara Wulang recounts the story of the wanderings of Prince Jayalengkara, and his visits to sages in secluded places who instruct him in mystical science. This illuminated manuscript was begun on 22 Rejeb in the Javanese year 1730, equivalent to 7 November 1803, by a scribe in the court of Sultan Hamengkubuwana II of Yogyakarta.
6145-59057464
God of war Guandi with acolytes; beginning of the 20th century (1901-00-00-1932-00-00);
4409-20927033
Detail from Koran of Sultan osman III painted on wood (S. IX) showing Mecca and the tomb of the Prophet. Museum: Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, ISTANBUL, TURQUIA. Mahoma.
1030-1430
Moise Maimonides:"Mishne Torah" Judaica c. 14th Century Jewish National & Hebrew Univ. Library, Jerusalem
4443-21950524
The Crucifixion and The Deposition; Lake Van, Turkey; 1386; Black ink and watercolors on paper bound between wood boards covered with dark brown kidskin; Leaf: 24 x 16.5 cm (9 7,16 x 6 1,2 in.)
6137-28691207
Quran and prayer beads on carpet in a mosque. Religious symbols of Islam. Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnam.
1899-18720910
The Naxi or Nakhi are an ethnic group inhabiting the foothills of the Himalayas in the northwestern part of Yunnan Province, as well as the southwestern part of Sichuan Province in China. The Naxi are thought to have come originally from Tibet and, until recently, maintained overland trading links with Lhasa and India. The Naxi form one of the 56 ethnic groups officially recognized by the People's Republic of China. The Naxi are traditionally followers of the Dongba religion. Through both Han Chinese and Tibetan cultural influences, they adopted Tibetan Buddhism and, to a lesser extent, Taoism, in the 10th century.
1899-20226834
Depiction of the Temple and the City of Jerusalem.
4409-17485683
Gold-embroidered epitrachilion (stole). Date/Period: 1600. Vestment and ecclesiastical jewellery. Height: 1,380 cm (15 yd). Author: UNKNOWN.
6145-45317546
Saint Nikita (altar picture) unknown
1788-34002
Table of the 16 winds, miniature from the Breviary of Love by Matfre' Ermengau, Code Provencal manuscript folio 53 recto, France end 13th Century-beginning 14th Century.
6145-52960625
Two books of evangeliarium
6145-29088712
Leaf from a Jain Manuscript: Kalpa-sutra: Birth of Mahavira, folio 40 (verso), c. 1400. Western India, Gujarat, Jain school, early 15th Century. Ink and color on paper; overall: 9.4 x 28.4 cm (3 11/16 x 11 3/16 in.). The tiny golden-hued infant in the palace chamber on the other side of this leaf will grow to be Mahavira, historical founder of the Jain religion who lived during the 500s BC in northern India. He and his mother Queen Trishala gaze intently and lovingly at one another as two handmaidens holding fly whisks to honor them. Many elements of the image are characteristic of painting styles during the 15th century: the flat red background, two-dimensional sense of space, and the eye extended beyond the boundary of the faces, which are a combination of profile and three-quarter view. The text describes her joyous and peaceful pregnancy of 9 months, 7-and-a-half days. It goes on to say that Mahavira was born at midnight on the 13th day of the first month of summer, and all omens
6188-64595001
painting of palkhi Copyright: xBhagwandasxRupani/DinodiaxPhotox
900-101646
Book of Kells: T Letters 800 A.D. Artist Unknown Illuminated Manuscript Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
4409-17384988
Initiation Card (Tsakalis). Culture: Tibet. Dimensions: Each 6 1/4 x 5 3/4 in. (16 x 14.5 cm). Date: early 15th century.Tsakali cards were used by itinerant teachers moving from one monastery to another in order to evoke Vajrayana Buddhist deities. When laid on the ground in the form of a mandala, as seen here, they functioned to create a fixed sacred space like that of a temple. The deities shown on these initiation cards include the Tathagata Buddhas, various bodhisattvas, fierce protectors, and the six possible realms of rebirth seen across the bottom. They probably were made by a Nepali artist for a Tibetan patron of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism.Tsakali cards were used individually to align a disciple with a deity from the vast pantheon. First, the disciple sought permission from the deity, either through a dream or under the guidance of a teacher. The associated ritual involved visualizing the deity as described in recited mantras (incantations) and with an image--in t
4435-5635
Vigilian or Albelda Codex. 10th c. Depiction of Adam and Eve at the original sin. Preromanesque art. Miniature Painting. SPAIN. MADRID (AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITY). San Lorenzo de El Escorial. Royal Library of the Monastery of El Escorial. Proc: SPAIN. LA RIOJA. Albelda de Iregua. Monastery of Saint Martin.
1606-187833
Singapore,Asian Civilisations Museum,Pages of Text from the Guru Granth Sahib Sacred Sikh Prayer Book
1848-61640289
Illustrations from a historical book in the monastery library of the Strahov Praemonstratensian Monastery, Prague, Czech Republic, Europe
7155-70376074
Illuminated initial Hebrew word from 16th cent. Torah.
6145-55951390
Genealogical scroll of the rulers of Mewar. 1730 - 1740. Scrolls (Visual works), Paintings. Spencer Collection
1848-50767420
Ancient Holy Quran, Islamic religious book
1788-33723
Map of the universe: The Globe, the seven saints of the heavens, the Zodiac and the position of the 28 days of the month, miniature from The tales of Luqman, Arabic manuscript, 1583.
1899-76343776
POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews. Reconstructed Vault and Bimah of Gwozdziec synagogue. The Levianthan encircles the city of Jerusalem. Warsaw. Poland.
6145-48887997
The Annunciation to the Shepherds. Master of the Dresden Prayer Book or workshop (Flemish, active about 1480 - 1515)
1848-67223387
Zillis, village church of St Martin, Romanesque wooden ceiling with biblical depictions
4220-21892623
A page from an old Arab manuscript depicting the four principal perfumes of the Hebrews: Cinnamon, Balsam, Nard and Valerian. Date: 12th century
6145-29736195
The Tree of Life first half 17th century British This unique image of a miraculous tree bearing multiple species of fruits and vegetables can be identified as the biblical Tree of Life. A multifruiting tree is described in the Book of Revelations; a tree that grows in the celestial City of God bearing twelve types of fruit that ripen during every month of the year. This association with the Tree of Life in Revelations is reinforced by the curling grape vine wrapped around the trunk of the tree, which is symbolic of the Passion of Christ and the promise of eternal life.The addition of numerous animals and the presence of both the sun and the moon also refer to the abundance of the Garden of Eden in the Book of Genesis.. The Tree of Life 229006
1323-3014
Uzbekistan, Bukhara, Jewish religious items in home
4443-21193703
Saint John; Unknown; Ethiopia, Africa; about 1480 - 1520; Tempera on parchment; Leaf: 34.5 x 25.6 cm (13 9/16 x 10 1/16 in.)
4443-22023182
Saint Mark; Ethiopia; about 1480 - 1520; Tempera on parchment; Leaf: 34.5 x 25.6 cm (13 9,16 x 10 1,16 in.)
1848-54926680
Fine arts, medical herbs tree, painting, Labrang Monastery, Xiahe County, Gansu province, China, Asia
4443-21193699
Saint Mark; Unknown; Ethiopia, Africa; about 1480 - 1520; Tempera on parchment; Leaf: 34.5 x 25.6 cm (13 9/16 x 10 1/16 in.)
6145-29117947
Sudhana in a Landscape, Folio from a Gandavyuha (The Structure of the World). Nepal, circa 1150-1175. Manuscripts. Opaque watercolor and ink on palm leaf
4443-75462972
The foot of the Prophet. Additional, Tahlîl al-Qur'ân wa-al-adiyah., 1874., in the Ottoman Empire. Arabic language
4409-28824392
Cruz, siglo XIV, proveniente del monasterio de Sant Joan de les Abadesses, Museu Episcopal Vic (MEV).
6145-29117948
Sudhana with Three Elephants, Folio from a Gandavyuha (The Structure of the World). Nepal, circa 1150-1175. Manuscripts. Opaque watercolor and ink on palm leaf
1788-21661
Netherlands, Gray, Temple of Salomon