Curiosities of the Cosmos
The Bodleian Library is preparing to exhibit for the first time the Book of Curiosities of the Sciences and Marvels for the Eyes, as part of a new exhibition on medieval views of the cosmos opening next month. The Arabic manuscript, of great historical interest, was purchased for an undisclosed amount in 2002.
Lesley Forbes, Keeper of Oriental Collections at the Bodleian Library, told The OxStu: "This exhibition offers a rare opportunity to see a wonderful display of medieval maps from Europe as well as the Middle East. Apocalypse and pilgrimage maps are shown alongside diagrammatic maps produced at the same time. For example, the Rectangular World Map in the Book of Curiosities is of a type previously unknown, and, we believe, unique to this manuscript."
The exhibition of ancient maps and diagrams promises to be a fascinating insight into medieval world views. It includes amongst its collection a map of England labelled Inghiltirah (translated as 'Angle-terre'), which is thought by experts to be the earliest existing portrayal of the country with this name.
Lesley Forbes also told The OxStu that the collection is of special interest because "important new evidence for international trade and commerce in the eleventh century is revealed, particularly of the activities of Islamic merchants in the Eastern Mediterranean."
The exhibition, "Medieval Views of the Cosmos", will run from June 7th until October 30th at the Bodleian Library, Old Schools Quadrangle, along with a digitised version of the Book of Curiosities soon to be available at:
www.bodley.ox.ac.uk/bookofcuriosities
10th Jun 2004