Machzor Lipsiae

Hebrew manuscripts are counted among the finest examples of the art of illumination and are known for the sophistication of their calligraphy and artwork. This manuscript is a collection of prayers for the seven special feast days of the Jewish religious calendar is regarded as the finest specimen of its kind. It is the Machzor Lipsiae or Leipzig Machzor, a two-volume work comprising 404 leaves measuring 49 x 36 cm. The generous application of gold leaf throughout the work indicates that the wealthy yet anonymous client put few limitations on the production of the precious pair of codices. Finally, it is a beautiful exemplar of the splendor that can be created through the blending of artistic traditions and a testament to the multi-cultural nature of medieval society.

A Mysterious Provenance

The flyleaves at the back of the manuscript, where codicological information such as the manuscript’s patron and possibly the names of the scribes and artists involved is normally recorded, is unfortunately missing. Judging by the style of the script and artistic furnishings, researchers have surmised that the manuscript originated from southwestern Germany during the early-14th century, most likely the region of Lake Constance or the Upper Rhine during the 1310’s. It appears to have been the product of a Christian workshop, whose artists probably worked in collaboration with a Jewish scribe, who used various sizes and ink colors, and under the supervision of a Rabbi. The first recorded entry by a former owner is dated 1553 and places the manuscript in Worms. The manuscript came to Poland sometime around the turn of the 17th century, where it was rebound, before coming to Thuringia where it was rebound once again about a century later. It was finally purchased by the Leipzig University Library in 1746, where it remains today.