Cicero — 15th century, second quarter; Italy, Milan

Title

Cicero — 15th century, second quarter; Italy, Milan

Shelfmark

MS. D'Orville 76

Place of origin

Italy, Milan

Date

15th century, second quarter

Language

Latin

Contents

Form

codex

Support

parchment

Physical extent

iii + 94leaves

Hands

Humanistic script (Pächt and Alexander ii. 698)

Decoration

Fine borders.

Fine historiated initials

Other initials fol. 1r Type initial A Subject Teacher, seated, with a book open on a lectern, addresses two students seated on a bench Type full border Subject Floral designs; armsof Bartolomeo Visconti, bishop of Novara, overpainted with the arms of a member of the family of Tournon

Binding

Red morocco with gold tooling (17th century ?)

Acquisition

Acquired by the Bodleian in 1804

Provenance

Arms of Bartolomeo Visconti, bishop of Novara, fol. 1 with his motto, 'Quo difficilius eo preclarius'

Arms overpainted with the arms of a member of the Touron family.

Jacques Phillippe D'Orville of Amsterdam (1690–1751)

Jean D'Orville, b. 1734, his son, by descent

Jean D'Orville, son of Jean, by descent

Sold to the Rev. John Cleaver Banks (1765/1766–1845): purchased from him by the Bodleian

Title

The fourteen Philippic Orations of Cicero

Shelfmark

MS. D'Orville 76

Summary

Each oration is preceded by a finely painted initial, and on fol. 1 are an illuminated border and a capital with miniature of a master and scholars.

On fol. 1 are the arms of a bishop: Quarterly, first and fourth azure three lilies or, second and third party per pale on the dexter side azure semé of lilies or, on the sinister side gules a lion rampant or langed and armed sable: with the motto 'Quo difficilius eo preclarius.'.

Date

written in the first half of the 15th cent. in Italy

Language

Latin

Physical facet

Red morocco binding with gold tooling (17th cent. ?); on parchment, with illuminations

Physical extent

94 Leaves