New Testament–Psalter (2 folios)
Two detached leaves from the same Greek manuscript containing the New Testament, the Psalms, and the Book of Odes
12th century CE
Ink and pigments on paper
Parent manuscript: Manuscript no. 1, Palermo Museum, Sicily
Free Library of Philadelphia (Lewis E M 44:27–28)
These two manuscript folios come from the same Book of Odes, containing a collection of both New and Old Testament canticles that would be recited or sung during liturgical service. The Book of Odes appears in order after Psalms, and is exclusively in Eastern Orthodox Bibles. Both of these folios contain illuminations: on the left, a depiction of Saint John the Evangelist; and on the right, Moses. Both illuminations have suffered from pigment loss. This likely resulted from the application of albumin (or egg white), which was applied to Byzantine parchment surfaces before text and image were added. Albumin was used to give the pages a shimmering property intended to create a more spiritual experience.
—Jay DaCruz
Catalogue Record, Free Library of Philadelphia