Illuminated letter T from Lincoln Cathedral manuscript MS171 f.139r

Recreated from a twelfth century manuscript, this illuminated T is said to be a fine example of the ‘Winchester style’ with its foliage, peeping heads, birds and dragons.

The green of the dragon’s body and tail is painted in malachite, the blue ground in lapis lazuli. It has become apparent that red lead, which is likely to have been used as the original orange colour, fades over time. For that reason, I have substituted a modern equivalent. Detailing is done in traditional vermillion, white and black.