TEXT FOR THE VIGIL AND FEAST OF ALL SAINTS.

A LARGE ILLUMINATED VELLUM MANUSCRIPT LEAF FROM A MISSAL IN LATIN, WITH A LOVELY PAINTED INITIAL.

(Italy: early 15th century). 340 x 238 mm. (13 3/8 x 9 1/4"). Double column, 30 lines, in a rounded gothic book hand.

Rubrics in red, several one- to three-line initials in red and/or blue with contrasting penwork trailing into the margins, A VERY PRETTY FIVE-LINE INITIAL painted shades of blue and yellow, filled with a bud-like object in orange and blue, and with mauve, orange, green, and blue acanthus extensions embellished by several silver(?) gilt bezants. ◆One corner stained (from tape repair) and torn away (but the torn piece present), other negligible imperfections (slight wrinkling and several tiny spots or stains in margins, gilding tarnished, ink a bit rubbed in places), but still a pleasing specimen with wide margins, and with the initial paint especially well preserved.

This is an attractive example of Italian manuscript decoration, featuring a deftly painted initial with rich hues that seem to pop off the vellum page. A vibrant palette of bold blues, greens, and oranges, coupled with a paler pink or purple, can be observed in manuscripts from the Florentine region, and it is possible that our leaf may have originated in that area as well. (ST18851-08)

Price: $400.00