12th-Century Illuminated Manuscript – St. Augustine on the Gospel of John, Italy c. 1160–1180

An extraordinary illuminated Christian manuscript written in Italy nearly 850 years ago.

This original parchment manuscript dates to the second half of the 12th century, c. 1160–1180, and survives from a large medieval Italian Homiliarium—a collection of sermons and liturgical readings used within the medieval Church.

Written in Latin in a beautiful Italian Rotunda script, the surviving text contains a reading from St. Augustine concerning the Gospel of John, intended for the Second Sunday after the Octave of Easter.

The manuscript is dominated by two magnificent illuminated initials measuring approximately 6–7.5 cm in height. Their intricate Romanesque decoration incorporates twisting vegetal forms, birds, and dragon heads. Traces of decoration once described as gold have darkened over the centuries, giving the manuscript its striking ancient appearance.

The text is arranged in two columns and includes red rubrication and headings—a vivid surviving example of manuscript production in medieval Italy.

Provenance is especially noteworthy. The manuscript is recorded as having been sold by Maggs Bros. Ltd. in 1994 and later belonged to the Marvin L. Colker Collection in London, an important collection of medieval manuscripts assembled by the distinguished manuscript scholar Marvin L. Colker.

At some point in its long history, the parchment was reused as bookbinding material. The folds, darkened surface, tears, and losses visible today bear witness to centuries of use and survival.

Manuscript Details

Date: c. 1160–1180
Origin: Italy
Material: Parchment / vellum
Language: Latin
Text: Homiliarium; St. Augustine on the Gospel of John
Script: Italian Rotunda
Decoration: Two large multicolored Romanesque initials
Provenance: Maggs Bros. Ltd., 1994; Marvin L. Colker Collection, London
Dimensions: Approximately 25.5 × 35.5 cm

This manuscript was already centuries old before the invention of the printing press and survives as a tangible witness to the world of medieval Christianity, monastic scholarship, and the painstaking art of the manuscript scribe.

An exceptional opportunity to own an authentic illuminated Christian manuscript from the 12th century.