The Book of Kells is one of the most famous books in the history of the world. It was completed in about 800 AD, and it is believed that a number of artists/illuminators were involved in the work. Written on vellum (calfskin), it contains the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in Latin. It is lavishly illustrated and ornamented and the script is insular majuscule which has been called 'the most elaborate specimen of calligraphy ever executed'.
There are only two pages in The Book of Kells in its present form that are not decorated in some way. However over 30 pages have been lost as a result of the theft and disfigurement of the book during Viking raids in Ireland in 1007 AD.
Major initial pages commence each Gospel: within the intricate letters, which are almost lost within the design can be found angels, and human figures, beasts including a biting lion which recurs frequently. Many of these figures are inter-twined.
No gold was used in The Book of Kells. Inorganic pigments used in the decoration were red and white lead, orpiment (yellow arsenic sulphide), verdigris, ultramarine, yellow ochre, carbon black and iron gall. Organic pigments were indigo or woad, kermes (a red coloring obtained from insects living on evergreen oak trees in the Mediterranean region) turnsole plant and ox gall. Pigments could be combined to produce other colours.
A feature of The Book of Kells are the small figures that are used as line fillers: these may be simple flourishes or flowers, or more elaborately dogs or cats and other beasts, a man mounted on a horse. Other pages are decorated with initial letters several lines high: these are generally fantastic beasts or intricate knot work.
The case that holds the facsimile uses intricate knot designs and silver metal work reminiscent of traditional Celtic design. The original cover of the book was probably highly decorated with gold and precious gems.
This facsimile edition reproduces all of the defects that have developed over the years in the original including the holes made by book worms, mending of the vellum pages, and the stains of water damage.
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