The Oscott Psalter

The elegance in script and decoration of the Oscott Psalter, is unsurpassed. The miniatures comprise twenty-four medallions in the Kalendar, ten large and ISO small historiated initials, and twenty-two pages of miniatures after the Kalendar. Of these ten contain scenes from the Bible, and twelve, standing figures of Apostles and others, which are among the most striking English paintings of the period in any medium. The late Mr C. W. Dyson Perrins was a great collector of manuscripts and was distinguished not only for taste and judgment but as a patron of learning; thanks both to the fine catalogue which he published and to his readiness to put them at the disposal of scholars. His manuscript collection played an important part in the advance of medieval studies during the first half of the 20th century. Mr Perrins himself bequeathed his two principal treasures to the British Library: the Gorleston Psalter and the Khamsah of Nizami. His Executors have enabled the Trustees to purchase six manuscripts from his collection including this one with contributions from the Art Fund, the Pilgrim Trust and a special grant from HM Treasury.