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ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT BY ALBERTO & FRANCIS SANGORSKI |
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TENNYSON, Lord Alfred; [SANGORSKI, Alberto and Francis]; Extracts from Idylls of the Kings Eight hand-painted illuminations taken from Tennyson’s famous historical poem [No date, circa 1908] The eight illuminations are taken from Tennyson’s version of the Arthurian legend, published in various combinations over a 46-year period ending in 1888. |
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This is a rare and possibly unique example of Francis Sangorski and his
brother Alberto collaborating on a book illumination project. Alberto
took up calligraphy around 1905, having previously worked as a secretary
to a goldsmith's firm. He began to work as a calligrapher for the
binding business of his younger brother Francis Sangorski and George
Sutcliffe and it is probable this manuscript was executed at this time,
certainly before 1910; after that date Alberto worked mainly for
the rival bookbinding firm of Riviere. The eight leaves depict various scenes in Tennyson's long poem but together they are not supposed to form a cohesive narrative. They should be seen as individual pieces and viewed simply for their visual appeal. The eight leaves are bound in the order they appear in the poem. |
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How Prince Geraint heard Enid sing the
song of fortune at her wheel 'And while he waited in the Castle Court..' |
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The Song of Enid 'Turn fortune turn thy wheel..' |
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The Song of Enid 'Lo now what hearts have men! They never mount as high as woman in her selfless mood..' |
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The Song of Vivien 'In love if love be love be ours..' |
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Elaine 'So in her tower alone the maiden sat..' |
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The Song of Love and Death that Elaine Sang 'Sweet is true love tho' given in vain...' |
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Queen Guenevere 'Queen Guenevere had fled the Court and sat there at the holy house in Amesbury..'
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The Song the Novice sang at Amesbury 'Late, late so late! and dark the night and chill..' |
The Binding
This binding has been designed to echo the themes within the illuminations and
is a fine example of the bookbinder’s skills and artistry.
Each leaf of the manuscript has been carefully remounted and the bookblock then
gilded in gold leaf. The binding itself is in full green morocco over cushioned
boards and sunken panels.
The design is hand-tooled with gouges, decorative rolls and multi-coloured
onlays. The panels are studded with over a hundred turquoises and rubies.
BKSANG.023
£32,000.00