EARLY MEDIEVAL

codex (plural: codices)

manuscript book

animal style

medieval art form in which animals are depicted in a stylized and often complicated pattern, usually seen fitting with one another

gospels

first four books of the New Testament that chronicle the life of Jesus Christ

horror vacui

(Latin, meaning fear of empty spaces) type of artwork in which the entire surface is filled with object, people, designs and ornaments in a crowded, sometimes congested way

colophon

1) commentary on the end panel of a Chinese scroll 2) inscription at the end of a manuscript containing relevant information on its publication

fibula (plural: fibulae)

clasp used to fasten garments

cloisonné

enamelwork in which colored areas are separated by thin bands of metal, usually gold or bronze

zoomorphic

having elements of animal shapes

scriptorium (plural: scriptoria)

place in a monastery where monks wrote manuscripts

chasing or repoussé

to ornament metal by indenting into a surface with a hammer

parchment

writing surface made from animal skins; particularly fine parchment made of calf son is called vellum