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Thursday, 5th November 2009 (323 views)

A rare Jewish religious text decorated with gold has gone on display in New York.

The Leipzig Machzor - which is believed to date back to the 13th or 14th century and was made in southern Germany - can be seen at the Pursuit of Knowledge: 600 Years of Leipzig University exhibition at the Grolier Club until November 21st.

Its pages seem to be inspired by illuminated Christian texts from the same period, some of which were also decorated with gold, according to the Jewish Press.

The Leipzig Machzor is open at the start of a passage relating to Yom Kippur in the exhibition.

Richard McBee of the Jewish Press says: "The gold leaf glistens and surrounds the initial word, Eitan, also written in gold leaf set off by a deep blue background ornamented with delicate floral tracery."

According to the Victoria & Albert Museum, gold leaf and gold powder were used only sparingly during medieval times due to the precious metal's high value and can usually be seen in the middle of illuminated letters in religious texts from this period.

 

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