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Hand illuminated & calligraphed poem on sheep's vellum

Profile picture for user Dawna R.
By Dawna R., 16 October, 2012
Description

This is a poem titled Saint Gabriel that's illuminated and lettered by hand on sheep's vellum, and the illuminations may be done in egg tempera or gouache with some added fine metallic gold lines that may be ink.  The calligraphy is done in black ink.  The original cardboard backing that the vellum was mounted on bulged out so badly that the piece couldn't be hung flat upon a wall for display.  I remounted the vellum on archival board using archival glue, though I'm sure this devalued the piece.  The poem is in its original frame, but some of the gilt was worn and I did my best to repair it, as well.  The piece is rated as "good" because of the repairs, but the actual illuminations, calligraphy and vellum are in excellent condition.

There's no information online about the poem Saint Gabriel, and there's no way of knowing who created and signed the piece with the initials S. W.  It was purchased for $10.00 in a second hand store in the Fenway neighborhood of Boston back in the 1980s.  It may have been created during the Arts & Crafts movement which occurred from about 1860 through 1910.  It would be interesting to find out about its history.

Category
Other
Medium
egg tempera or gouache, gold metallic ink, black ink on sheep's vellum
Distinguishing marks
Initialed "S. W."
Condition
Good
Size and dimensions of this item
approximately 9.5 x 13" (This is from memory because the piece is kept safely located elsewhere.)
Date Period
possibly the Art & Crafts era
Weight
1 - 2 lbs
History
I bought this in a second hand store back in the 1980s and have no idea about its history. When I removed the paper seal backing to restore it, I tried to carefully remove the small label pasted on it. The label may have told quite a bit about its origin of the piece, but it crumbled into pieces and over the years it's been lost.
Price Paid (If known)
$10.00
For Sale?
No
Photos
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