Lindisfarne Carpet Pages

Matthew folio 26 verso of the lindisfarne gospels from northumbria england c.

Lindisfarne carpet pages.

The world of the lindisfarne gospels. Carpet pages like this one are characterized by geometric and colourful designs that take up an entire page as here. It was made in the late 7th or early 8th centuries at lindisfarne a monastery in the north of england that was founded by irish missionaries and held control over a vast network of smaller monasteries in the region. Lindisfarne gospels cross carpet page.

Carpet pages have been described as virtual prayer rugs intended to help create a contemplative state. The lindisfarne gospels begins with a carpet page in the form of a cross and a major initial page introducing the letter of st. Matthew mark luke and john the writers of the original gospel books. The lindisfarne gospels is a manuscript that contains the gospels of the four evangelists mark john luke and matthew.

A carpet page from the lindisfarne gospels carpet pages are a characteristic feature of insular illuminated manuscripts. The cross carpet pages are not the sole examples of christian iconography in the lindisfarne gospels. The book of lindisfarne opens with one of five elaborate full page decorative carpet pages cruciform geometric designs reminiscent of eastern hand made rugs. The copying and decoration of the lindisfarne gospels represent a remarkable artistic achievement.

There are sixteen pages of arcaded canon tables where parallel passages of the four evangelists are laid out. An exhibition held at the british library 16th may to 28th september 2003. Four of the carpet pages appear alongside incipit pages that mark the beginning of each gospel. Insular cross carpet pages were inspired by contemporary metalwork and oriental rugs.

The carpet pages of the lindisfarne gospels. Lindisfarne gospels john cross carpet page f 210v british library the book is a spectacular example of insular or hiberno saxon art works produced in the british isles between 500 900 c e a time of devastating invasions and political upheavals. Similar pages can be found in coptic christian manuscripts and it is possible that this decorative tradition came to ireland with monks who came from or spent time in egypt. Carpet page posted on december 14 2015 by mrsbowman1 cross and carpet page for st.

Jerome and pope damasus i.