![RUDOLF OF EMS (c.1200-c.1254), Weltchronik, two leaves, in Middle High German, decorated manuscript on vellum [Germany, Bavaria, 14th century]](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2018/CKS/2018_CKS_16018_0013_001(rudolf_of_ems_weltchronik_two_leaves_in_middle_high_german_decorated_m045620).jpg?w=1)
![RUDOLF OF EMS (c.1200-c.1254), Weltchronik, two leaves, in Middle High German, decorated manuscript on vellum [Germany, Bavaria, 14th century]](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2018/CKS/2018_CKS_16018_0013_002(rudolf_of_ems_weltchronik_two_leaves_in_middle_high_german_decorated_m045620).jpg?w=1)
![RUDOLF OF EMS (c.1200-c.1254), Weltchronik, two leaves, in Middle High German, decorated manuscript on vellum [Germany, Bavaria, 14th century]](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2018/CKS/2018_CKS_16018_0013_000(rudolf_of_ems_weltchronik_two_leaves_in_middle_high_german_decorated_m045620).jpg?w=1)
Details
RUDOLF OF EMS (c.1200-c.1254), Weltchronik, two leaves, in Middle High German, decorated manuscript on vellum [Germany, Bavaria, 14th century]
Few fragments from this important and early vernacular text remain in private hands and none is more extensive or has such wildly inventive flourished initials.
320 x 245-250 overall. Two leaves with two columns of 41 lines written in a middle-grade 14th-century German bookhand in brown ink, written space: 250 x 180mm, 5 red initials 3-4 lines high, red penwork flourishing in margins (creases, sewing holes, corners cut from use as wrappers, cockling and darkening, a few wormholes at edges).
Content: Rudolf of Ems, Weltchronik, leaf i) lines 34811-34892/34893-34974; leaf ii) lines 35630-35711/35712-35790 cf. ‘Rudolf von Ems: Weltchronik. Aus der Wernigeroder Handschrift herausgegeben von Gustav Ehrismann.’ Deutsche Texte des Mittelalters 20, Berlin, 1915, pp.489-492 and pp.502-504 and available online, the present leaves though are written in the Bavarian dialect.
Rudolf of Ems, born in Swabia, was a knight and prolific poet in the service of princes of the Holy Roman Empire. These leaves are from a copy of his final and most ambitious work, a universal history undertaken for Conrad IV of the Hohenstaufen dynasty. The intention was that by drawing together biblical, classical and literary narratives the entire history of the world would be covered from the Creation on. It was unfinished when he died and the work ends with the death of Soloman.
These leaves come from the Book of Kings: the first leaf covers Elisha following Elijah and the conflict between Ahab king of Israel and Benhadad king of Syria.(1 Kings 19-20) and the second covers the death of Ahaziah and the prophet Elijah’s ascent to Heaven in a fiery chariot and Elisha taking up his mantle (2 Kings 1-2).
Fragments or leaves of this popular medieval work are recorded in only 10 private collections: few equal these leaves in size and intactness: see www.hanschriftencensus.de/werke/322.
Few fragments from this important and early vernacular text remain in private hands and none is more extensive or has such wildly inventive flourished initials.
320 x 245-250 overall. Two leaves with two columns of 41 lines written in a middle-grade 14th-century German bookhand in brown ink, written space: 250 x 180mm, 5 red initials 3-4 lines high, red penwork flourishing in margins (creases, sewing holes, corners cut from use as wrappers, cockling and darkening, a few wormholes at edges).
Content: Rudolf of Ems, Weltchronik, leaf i) lines 34811-34892/34893-34974; leaf ii) lines 35630-35711/35712-35790 cf. ‘Rudolf von Ems: Weltchronik. Aus der Wernigeroder Handschrift herausgegeben von Gustav Ehrismann.’ Deutsche Texte des Mittelalters 20, Berlin, 1915, pp.489-492 and pp.502-504 and available online, the present leaves though are written in the Bavarian dialect.
Rudolf of Ems, born in Swabia, was a knight and prolific poet in the service of princes of the Holy Roman Empire. These leaves are from a copy of his final and most ambitious work, a universal history undertaken for Conrad IV of the Hohenstaufen dynasty. The intention was that by drawing together biblical, classical and literary narratives the entire history of the world would be covered from the Creation on. It was unfinished when he died and the work ends with the death of Soloman.
These leaves come from the Book of Kings: the first leaf covers Elisha following Elijah and the conflict between Ahab king of Israel and Benhadad king of Syria.(1 Kings 19-20) and the second covers the death of Ahaziah and the prophet Elijah’s ascent to Heaven in a fiery chariot and Elisha taking up his mantle (2 Kings 1-2).
Fragments or leaves of this popular medieval work are recorded in only 10 private collections: few equal these leaves in size and intactness: see www.hanschriftencensus.de/werke/322.
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