#codex rotundus

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During the Medieval period, many illuminated codices and Books of Hours were produced: some of them are true gems to be admired and leafed through. Some have peculiarities that make them unique in the world: this is the case with the precious 'Codex Rotundus'.

The Codex Rotundus is rightly considered a fine example of medieval book culture, not only because of its size but especially because of its peculiar shape. Containing 266 pages written in Latin and French, the manuscript is rightly considered a unique example in that both the cover and the pages are cut in a circular shape, approximately 9 cm in diameter.

The 'Codex Rotundus' was written in 1480 in Latin and French. Unfortunately, we do not know the name of its author, only the place where it was made: Bruges. We can certainly say that the author of this Codex was an extraordinary artist, capable of painting very fine illustrations on very small sheets.

Currently, the 'Codex Rotundus' is kept in the Cathedral Library in Hildesheim, Germany.

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Durante la Edad Media se produjeron numerosos códices y libros de horas iluminados: algunos de ellos son verdaderas joyas que hay que admirar y hojear. Algunos tienen peculiaridades que los hacen únicos en el mundo: es el caso del precioso "Codex Rotundus".

El Codex Rotundus se considera con razón un excelente ejemplo de la cultura del libro medieval, no sólo por su tamaño, sino sobre todo por su peculiar forma. El manuscrito, que contiene 266 páginas escritas en latín y francés, se considera con razón un ejemplo único en el sentido de que tanto la cubierta como las páginas están cortadas en forma circular, de unos 9 cm de diámetro.

El "Codex Rotundus" fue escrito en 1480 en latín y francés. Desgraciadamente, desconocemos el nombre de su autor, sólo el lugar donde se realizó: Brujas. Sin duda, podemos afirmar que el autor de este códice era un artista extraordinario, capaz de pintar ilustraciones muy finas en hojas muy pequeñas.

En la actualidad, el "Codex Rotundus" se conserva en la Biblioteca de la Catedral de Hildesheim (Alemania).

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Nel periodo Medievale sono stati prodotti molti codici miniati e libri delle ore: alcuni di questi sono dei veri e propri gioielli da ammirare e sfogliare. Alcuni presentano delle peculiarità che li rendono unici al mondo: è il caso del prezioso “Codex Rotundus”.

Il Codex Rotundus è giustamente considerato un bell'esempio di cultura libraria medievale, non solo per le sue dimensioni ma soprattutto per la sua forma peculiare. Contenente 266 pagine scritte in latino e francese , il manoscritto è giustamente considerato un esempio unico in quanto sia la copertina che le pagine sono tagliate in una forma circolare , di circa 9 cm di diametro.

Il “Codex Rotundus” è stato redatto nel 1480 in latino e in francese. Purtroppo non si conosce il nome del suo autore ma solo il luogo dove è stato realizzato: Bruges. Possiamo certamente affermare che l’autore di questo Codex era un artista straordinario, in grado di dipingere illustrazioni di grande pregio su piccolissimi fogli.

In 15th century CE, Flemish craftsmen created the first pocketbook in history, the Codex Rotundus, a unique late-medieval manuscript comprised of 266 pages containing a lavishly illuminated Book of Hours written in Latin and French.

Codex Rotundus is generally considered to be the first pocketbook not because there were no other pocketbooks, but because it is one of a kind.

Miniature Bibles and other Books of Hour were much larger than the Codex Rotundus and generally of the same rectangular shape as their larger counterparts.

The manuscript is round and made of wood and parchment sheets, with symmetrical pages forming a small block bound together to build a block of 3 cm in height with a diameter of 9cm.

The manuscript includes 3 full-page miniatures and an additional 30 historiated initials depicting mainly religious content, including psalms, depicting biblical scenes from the Old Testament, and stories from the life of Jesus Christ as well as various saints.

Its cover is red leather and is secured with three metal clasps in the shape of Gothic letters.

The words are written in both Latin and French, and the pages are formatted to look realistic.

This extraordinary book is still admired today for its unconventional work.

Although the book doesn’t preserve the name of the artist or artists responsible for its magnificent illuminations, various stylistic elements firmly point to its origins in the milieu of the Burgundian court (specifically from the area of Bruges).

Codex Rotundus “266 almost perfectly circular pages of parchment have been bound together to build a block of 3cm height with a diameter of only 9cm.”

Every time I see one of these cute little medieval manuscripts, I think to myself, “I bet there are some people of color in that.” I am rarely disappointed.

ADEVA Fine Art Facsimile Editions in detail

Inside the Codex Rotundus lays a 266 page book of hours in Latin and French.

The manuscript is unique in form and size: the pages are cut approximately circular in shape and measure a little over 9cm in diameter. The book binding feat here is enormous: since the layers are bound together on a mere 3cm book spine, the body of the book must be held together by 3 clasps.