Psalterion Collection

MS 2200 f.59 Music, from a collection of scientific, philosophical and poetic writings, French, 13th century
BEN85049 MS 2200 f.59 Music, from a collection of scientific, philosophical and poetic writings, French, 13th century; Bibliotheque Sainte-Genevieve, Paris, France; Photo © Raffaello Bencini.

Feasting and musicians, 1290. Creator: Unknown
Feasting and musicians, 1290. Page from the Beaupre Antiphonary, vol. 2

A Young Man Playing a Psalterium, c. 1600. Creator: Christoffel van Sichem I
A Young Man Playing a Psalterium, c. 1600

Ms Hunter 229 f. 21v Detail showing musicians, from the Hunterian Psalter, c. 1170 (pen & ink and tempera on vellum)
GUL174586 Ms Hunter 229 f.21v Detail showing musicians, from the Hunterian Psalter, c.1170 (pen & ink and tempera on vellum) by English School

Fol. 4r Musicians playing castanets and a psaltery, from the
XIR192408 Fol.4r Musicians playing castanets and a psaltery, from the Chansonnier des Nobles (vellum) by Portuguese School, (13th century); Biblioteca del Palacio Nacional de Ajuda, Lisbon

St. Cecilia and Two Angels, 1870s (stained glass)
MOK120182 St. Cecilia and Two Angels, 1870s (stained glass) by Burne-Jones, Edward Coley (1833-98); Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, UK; Martyn O Kelly Photography; English, out of copyright

Angel musician playing a psaltery, detail from the vault of the crypt (fresco)
JCL177115 Angel musician playing a psaltery, detail from the vault of the crypt (fresco) by French School, (15th century); Collegiale Saint-Bonnet-le-Chateau

Concert with many instruments, ancient Greece. Musicians playing lyre, kithara or zither, aulos or tibia, harp, psalterion, tambourine, cymbals, etc

Corale / Graduale no. 5 Historiated initial A depicting King David
KAB177386 Corale / Graduale no.5 Historiated initial A depicting King David and God the Father (vellum) (see 177385) by Franchi, Rossello (1377-1456) and Torelli

Coronation of the Virgin, altarpiece with a predella panel depicting angels playing
AII79968 Coronation of the Virgin, altarpiece with a predella panel depicting angels playing musical instruments, Florentine (panel) by Italian School, (14th century); Museo Nazionale del Bargello

Ms 531 f. 169v Historiated initial D depicting King David with his lyre
SCP79799 Ms 531 f.169v Historiated initial D depicting King David with his lyre, from a psalter from San Marco e Cenacoli (vellum) by Angelico

Corale / Graduale no. 5 Historiated initial A depicting King David
KAB177385 Corale / Graduale no.5 Historiated initial A depicting King David and God the Father (vellum) (see 177386) by Franchi, Rossello (1377-1456) and Torelli

Virgin Surrounded by Angels (tempera & gold on panel)
MMT238223 Virgin Surrounded by Angels (tempera & gold on panel) by Bartolo di Fredi, also Manfredi de Battilori (1330-1410); Musee Marmottan Monet, Paris, France; Italian, out of copyright

Two putti from the frieze of musical angels in the Chapel of Isotta degli Atti, c
BEN85127 Two putti from the frieze of musical angels in the Chapel of Isotta degli Atti, c.1450 (marble) by Duccio, Agostino di (1418-c.81); Tempio Malatestiano, Rimini

Courtly ladies at an open-air concert (fresco)
BAL63052 Courtly ladies at an open-air concert (fresco) by Master of the Triumph of Death, (fl.1360-80) (attributed to); Camposanto, Pisa, Italy; Italian, out of copyright

A performer on the psalterion, 14th century, (1870). Psaltery or psalterion player. A wood engraving after a miniature from a manuscript in the Bibliotheque Imperiale, Paris

A psaltery player, 9th century, (1870). A performer on the psaltery or psalterion. A wood engraving after a miniature from a manuscript in the Bibliotheque Imperiale, Paris

Woman playing a playing a Psaltery, c1840. Woodcut

Death comes to the Old Man, or the Hermit, from Der Todten Tanz, published Basel
KW278037 Death comes to the Old Man, or the Hermit, from Der Todten Tanz, published Basel, 1843 (litho) by Holbein the Younger

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The psalterion, also known as the psaltery, is a fascinating musical instrument that has been depicted in various forms of art throughout history. In the Hunterian Psalter from around 1170, we can see a detailed illustration of musicians playing this instrument. The pen and ink drawing on vellum showcases the skill and craftsmanship involved in creating such beautiful music. In another artwork from ancient Greece, we witness a concert with many instruments where the psalterion takes center stage. This highlights its importance and popularity during that time period. Moving forward to stained glass art from the 1870s, St. Cecilia and Two Angels are depicted playing castanets and a psaltery respectively. This portrayal emphasizes the heavenly sound produced by this enchanting instrument. Furthermore, an angel musician playing a psaltery is captured in intricate detail on the vault of a crypt fresco. The delicate strokes bring out not only the beauty of the angel but also showcase how integral this instrument was to religious ceremonies. The significance of King David's association with the psalterion is evident in several artworks such as Corale / Graduale no. 5 Historiated initial A depicting him with his lyre or Ms 531 f. 169v Historiated initial D showcasing him alongside his beloved instrument. Angels playing this celestial-sounding device are often portrayed surrounding important figures like in Coronation of Virgin altarpieces or Virgin Surrounded by Angels paintings - their presence adding an ethereal touch to these divine scenes. Even outside religious contexts, courtly ladies at open-air concerts were often seen enjoying melodies played on this captivating stringed instrument as shown in frescoes from different eras. From medieval manuscripts to stained glass windows and frescoes spanning centuries, these artistic depictions remind us of how deeply ingrained the psalterion was within various cultures across time periods - its melodic notes resonating through history itself.