Egerton MS 1139 Lower Cover with the carved word 'Herodius', the 'Queen Melisende Psalter', Jerusalem,...

Cover with the carved word 'Herodius' on the lower cover possibly refers to the artist or to Fulk of Anjou (the bird name, 'herodias' could be used synonymously with 'fulica' (coot), and the French vernacular for coot 'foulque'). 2 ivory panels, with scenes from the life of David on the upper cover (image labelled as f. v-recto), and the six vices and six works of charity, illustrating Matthew 25: 35-36,on the lower cover (image labelled as f. vii-verso), with numerous inscriptions. Made from thick sheets of ivory, into which the relief was cut, with small pieces of turquoise, ruby-coloured gemstones, and jet. Some traces of red pigment visible; 2 separated ivory panel backings (images labelled as f, v-verso and f. vii-recto), and 2 wooden panels (4 images, labelled as f. vi-recto, f. vi-verso and f. viii-recto, f. viii-verso); 2 metal plates (4 images, labelled as f. ix-recto to f. x-verso); embroidered silk spine, with silver thread and equal-armed crosses in red and blue; post-1600 covers of red leather with gold tooling and 4 modern paper flyleaves (labelled ff. i-recto to iv-verso). The carved word 'Herodius' on the lower cover (image labelled as f. vii-verso) possibly refers to the artist or to Fulk of Anjou (the bird name, 'herodias' could be used synonymously with 'fulica' (coot), and the French vernacular for coot 'foulque').