Medieval Arthurian Manuscript Fetches Over $3 Million at Auction

A medieval manuscript detailing stories of King Arthur, Merlin, and the Knights of the Round Table has sold for 2.24 million British pounds (over 2.6 million euros) at Christie's auction house in London. This sale met the higher end of its estimated value, which ranged from 1.5 to 2 million pounds. The manuscript, known as the Clermont-Tonnerre Grail, was created between 1290 and 1310 and had remained in private ownership for approximately seven centuries. Christie's noted it was one of only three comparable manuscripts still in private hands, and it is the oldest and most richly illustrated of the three.

The manuscript features 126 miniatures, which are hand-painted, colored illustrations adorning the text and depicting story scenes. These miniatures are embellished with gold leaf and precious pigments, including a rare depiction of Merlin as a stag. Dr. Martine Meuwese, a university lecturer in medieval art at Utrecht University, described the illustrations as a "feast" to view online, noting the manuscript's beautiful handwriting, "striking, bright colors," and "cartoon-like figures." She highlighted the immense popularity of Arthurian literature in the Middle Ages, calling it a "bestseller" with around two hundred copies surviving today. Meuwese explained that such manuscripts were costly endeavors, involving specialized artisans for parchment, text, and illustrations, making them accessible only to wealthy patrons.

The buyer's identity has not been disclosed, which has raised concerns among researchers. Meuwese expressed hope that the manuscript will eventually enter a public collection for scholarly study and public access. However, she acknowledged that this is unlikely, as European museums often lack the immediate funds to acquire such high-value items.