Analysis of key Anglo-Saxon manuscripts (8-11th centuries) in the British Library: pigment identification by Raman microscopy

Seven important and valuable Anglo-Saxon manuscripts of the 8-11th centuries and. held at the British Library, London, were analysed by Raman microscopy in order to establish and compare their palettes. They are the Vespasian Psalter (Cotton MS Vespasian A1), Harley MS 7653, the Royal Prayer Book (Royal MS 2 Axx), the Royal Bible (Royal MS 1E vi), the Eadui Psalter (Arundel MS 155), the Grimbald Gospels (Add. MS 34890) and the Psychomachia by Prudentius (Cotton Cleopatra C viii). The overall palette of the manuscripts studied includes carbon, indigo, lazurite, orpiment, red lead, red ochre, verdigris, vergaut and white lead. Lazurite appears not to have been used until 920 AD and vermilion until the 12th century. Chalk and gypsum appear occasionally, probably as extenders, with gold and sometimes silver used to illuminate the most expensive manuscripts. Raman microscopy proves to be a very effective technique for the identification of inorganic pigments on manuscripts, and is much more reliable than optical microscopy. Copyright (C) 2004 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.