Northumberland Bestiary (1250)
$17.99
The Northumberland Bestiary (MS 100) is a legendary English illuminated manuscript created between 1250 and 1260. It is widely celebrated as one of the finest surviving examples of a medieval book of beasts. Originally known as the Alnwick Bestiary, it contains a rich compendium of real and mythological creatures, heavily integrated with Christian moral allegories. Today, it resides in the permanent collection of the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
Key Characteristics & Origins
- Creation: Produced by an unknown illuminator in England, likely in London.
- Physical Composition: Contains 74 or 75 leaves (around 148 pages) of high-quality parchment/vellum.
- Illustrations: Features 112 expressive, colored-ink miniatures. They showcase a distinct English Gothic style utilizing vibrant washes.
- Text: Written in a small, early Gothic book hand in Latin. It includes standard bestiary accounts as well as a short pastoral sermon on penance. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
Content & Moral Allegory
Rather than serving as a purely scientific zoological guide, the bestiary treated nature as a metaphorical canvas for divine creation. Each animal entry served to instruct readers in Christian morality: [1, 2, 3]
- Biblical Foundation: The book opens with Genesis themes, including scenes of Adam naming the animals.
- Real Animals: Creatures like the lion represent God the Father, while tales of exotic elephants detail soldiers riding them in India.
- Mythological Beasts: Creatures like the six-headed hydra and the dragon are colorfully rendered to represent Satan and sinful temptations. [1, 2]
Provenance & Ownership
- Alnwick Castle: Held for centuries by the Dukes of Northumberland at Alnwick Castle starting in the 18th century. [1, 2]
- Private Hands: Sold in 1990 at a Sotheby's auction for $5.85 million to a private collector. It held the distinction of being the last surviving English bestiary remaining in private hands. [1, 2, 3]
- Getty Acquisition: Acquired by the J. Paul Getty Museum in 2007 for a reported $20 million. The museum has since completely digitized the work, making it freely readable via online platforms like Google Arts & Culture
Product features
- 100% ring-spun cotton (lightweight 153 g/m²) for soft, breathable comfort
- Tubular knit construction—no side seams for a smooth fit
- Ribbed collar with shoulder tape to keep shape and prevent stretching
- OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certified; meets strict safety and chemical standards
- Prints produced with DTG/DTF methods; tear-away inner label for comfort
Care instructions
- Do not dryclean
- Do not bleach
- Tumble dry: low heat
- Iron, steam or dry: low heat
- Machine wash: cold (max 30C or 90F), with similar colors