Bibliotheca Arnamagnæana - 01.06.1980, Síða 210
192
F. (1) = Copenhagen, AM Access. 7d = Psalter III, formerly used
for the binding of MS AM 210 fol.: Ps. 26,7 - Ps. 28,3
F. (2) = Ibid.: Ps. 33,14 - Ps. 34,13
F. (3) = Ibid.: Ps. 36,18 - Ps. 37,4
F. (4) = Ibid.: Ps. 42,4 - Ps. 43,24
F. (5) = Reykjavik, National Museum, Fragm. 1799: Ps. 79,2 - Ps.
80,7
F. (6) = Reykjavik Lbs. fragm. 54: Ps. 97,3 - Ps. 98,5; (verso) Ps.
98,9 - Ps. 100,2 (see J. Benediktsson, p. 13)
F. (7) = Ibid., Lbs. fragm. 56: Ps. 105,12-23; (verso) Ps. 105, 29-
39 (see J. Benediktsson, ibid.)
See Plates 68-69, with reproduction of f. (3)r and f. (3)v, the latter in
original size. For the obituary notices of the calendar, see J. Forkels-
son, op. cit., p. 72.
The leaves of the calendar measure c. 28x20 cm, the written space
c. 24x16 cm. The written space of the psalter is 20/21x13,5 cm. The
most striking feature of the handwriting is the closed a; exceptionally, a
small horn can be spotted. The form of the short stop, the punctus
elevatus, a point surmounted by a flex, is also peculiar (e.g. Plate 69,
first line). The colour scheme is very rich, with the use of red, yellow,
blue, and green for the high-graded feasts of the calendar and the
initials of the psalter.
This manuscript was exquisitely decorated, the calendar with zodiac
signs, the psalter with illuminations. The only surviving illumination,
however, is that of the initial E of ps. 80 (Exultate Deo), linked to a
representation of the Holy Women at the Sepulchre (f. 5v), where gold
has been used. A study of these decorations has been made by Selma
Jonsdottir, with facsimiles of (5)r of the calendar, containing the month
of September, and of ff. (3)v, (5)rv, (6)v, and (7)v of the psalter. The
leamed author relates these decorations to romanesque art of the
second half of the twelfth century.8
This manuscript remains an unsolved problem. Was it really written
in Iceland, with the use of gold for the illumination of f. (5)v of the
psalter? An examination of the calendar may help towards a clarifica-
tion.
8 See Selma Jonsdottir, Orlog saltara: Minjar og menntir. Afmælisrit helga6
Kristjåni Eldjåm 6. desember 1976 (Reykjavik 1976), pp. 444-60. With an English
Summary.