Description
Digitized facsimile edition of the famous Book of Kells, also called Manuscript Kells or Book of Kells, dating from about the year 800, according to the artisan version of Friends of the Codex.
The Book of Kells (sometimes known as the Book of Columba) is a stunningly beautiful manuscript containing the four Gospels along with several introductory texts and tables. It is considered as the most precious national treasure of Ireland, and is generally regarded as the finest illuminated manuscript that has survived from medieval Europe. Although historically it is a very important codex; however, it is not an overly illuminated manuscript, has few pages full size miniadas but many capitulars and lyrics both at the beginning of the line and the same.
The Book of Kells was created by Celtic monks around the year 800 or slightly earlier and was never completed. The text of the Gospels is largely drawn from the Vulgate, but also includes some passages from earlier versions of the Bible known as the Vetus Latina. It is a masterpiece of Western calligraphy and represents the pinnacle of the island lighting. The illustrations and ornaments Book of Kells are greater than those of other books for his extravagance and complexity. The decor combines traditional Christian iconography decorated with typical motifs of swirls insular art. Human figures, animals and mythical beasts, together with Celtic patterns and vibrant colors intertwined in knots, enliven the pages of the manuscript. Many of these minor decorative elements are imbued with Christian symbolism.
The manuscript today comprises 340 folios and, since 1953, has been consolidated into four volumes. The leaves (currently 25.5 x 33 cm, as in the nineteenth century suffered a severe cut) they are of high quality vellum (calfskin, calf prepared), and elaborate ornamentation unprecedented covers includes ten full-page illustrations and text pages with decorated initials, works at least three different scribes. Letters are in iron gall ink, and the colors used were obtained from a wide range of substances, many of which were imports from distant countries. However, in many sheets it is clear that the passage of more than 12 centuries has left its mark on them.
The manuscript is named after the Abbey of Kells was home for centuries. Today it is on permanent display at the Library of Trinity College Dublin in which, usually, two of the four current volumes at once exposed, one showing a main illustration and another that displays pages with the typical text of the work.
Facsimile of this codex one deluxe edition was held for years spent in Switzerland by Faksimile Verlag. On very rare occasions and in the second hand market you can find copies of this work but at very expensive prices that can exceed 20,000 €
Our work of digital files in the original manuscript preserved in Dublin (Ireland), in the Library of Trinity College, sign. MS AI (58), and bound in a single volume in real leather on wood.
Technical characteristics:
Aged binding in high quality ram chamois leather on a board, leather headdresses, dry decoration on both planes, ribs on the spine, irregular edges, guide tape.
Format 17 x 20.5 cm.
Pages: 688 (single and large volume)
Paper: special high-quality parchment, the same as that used by luxury facsimiles.
Aged printing in 4-ink color and free of adhesion between sheets.
Language in which it is written: Latin
Year of creation: c. 800 (8th and 9th centuries)
Optionally we offer an open box-case, type book-keeper, dust cover or flask, made of gold sapphire vanol with decoration in old gold, for better conservation, format 15.5 x 21.5 x 5.7 cm, at the price of € 50
.As a book study, a copy of the book “A journey through the Book of Kells,” the Irish publishing The O’Brien Press, written by George Otto Simms and illustrated by David Rooney and Eoin O’Brien accompanied. This book can choose from 5 languages: Spanish, English, French, German and Japanese. Consult availability depending on the language of interest. Format 13.8 x 21.6 cm, 72 pages with black and white illustrations, bound in color soft cover.
As an option can customize our Book of Kells including a dedication or message. Consult manner and time of delivery as well as any questions, facsimile or article you are looking for.
