[113] The first pages of the two last-mentioned _Psalters_ are illustrated by Shaw, _The Art of Illumination_, London, 1870, pp. 17 to 23. [114] An example of the most marvellous beauty and perfection was presented by Lady Sadleir to Trinity College library in Cambridge. [115] The _Victoria Psalter_ is however frequently described in booksellers' catalogues, not only in polite, but in enthusiastic language. As an example I may quote the following, THE BEAUTIFUL VICTORIA PSALTER: PSALMS OF DAVID ILLUMINATED BY OWEN JONES, _beautifully printed in large type, on thin cardboards, on 104 pages, each of which is surrounded by_ SUMPTUOUS BORDERS _in_ GOLD _and_ COLOURS, _with the_ CAPITALS ILLUMINATED, _and some of the pages consisting of large and most beautifully illuminated texts_, columbier 4to. _elegantly bound in morocco, the sides elaborately carved, leathern joints, and gilt edges_ (A VERY HANDSOME VOLUME), £4. 10_s._ _n. d._ [116] These same characteristics of face are very noticeable in the beautiful carved ivory diptychs and statuettes of the Virgin and Child made during the fourteenth century in France and England. [117] A _lectionary_ contained the _Gospels_ and _Epistles_ arranged for use at the celebration of Mass. [118] Especially for the Canon of the Mass. The famous _Mentz Psalter_ of 1459 is printed in characters of this size and style; see below, page 149. [119] The pine-apple was not known in Europe before the discovery of America, and this very decorative form, which occurs so largely on the fine woven velvets of Florence and Northern Italy, was probably suggested by the artichoke plant, largely assisted by the decorative invention of the designer. [120] In the Brera Catalogue this very beautiful painting is wrongly ascribed to Fra Carnovale, a pupil of Piero della Francesca. [121] This very important English manuscript was bought by Mr Quaritch and priced at £1600 in his catalogue, No. 291, 1873. It was written in or soon after 1420 when Lydgate completed writing his work; it may possibly have been written and illuminated by the author himself. [122] Caxton appears to have begun to use woodcut initials in the year 1484 or 1485, but most Continental printers continued to use hand-painted capitals many years later than that. [123] This scene and the name of Saint Thomas, wherever it occurs, are frequently obliterated in English manuscripts. This was done by the special order of Henry VIII., who, after his quarrel with the Pope, appears to have regarded Thomas à Becket as a sort of personal enemy.