Ian Ehling
Head of Department
Lot 17
ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPTS: MICAH AND NAHUM, ISAIAH, REVELATIONS, AND II KINGS. 4 illuminated Bible leaves on vellum,
11 December 2020, 10:00 EST
New YorkSold for US$3,825 inc. premium
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ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPTS: MICAH AND NAHUM, ISAIAH, REVELATIONS, AND II KINGS.
4 illuminated Bible leaves on vellum,
1. Leaf with text from Micah and Nahum, France [probably Paris], c.1260, 159 x 103 mm, double column, 43 lines of text in Gothic pearl script, rubrics in red, capitals struck in red, running titles and chapter numbers in red and blue, two two-line initials in red or blue with contrasting penwork stretching the length of the page, one three-line initial in pink on a blue ground and floral motif, with two extenders running an inch in either direction, and a five-line historiated initial with a prophet (Nahum) holding a scroll. With a simple manicula and several later (17th century?) marginal notations, including several sentences (now quite faded) at the bottom of the recto. Light soiling around the edges and a little overall toning, otherwise very fine. Matted.
2. Leaf with text from the prologue and opening of Isaiah, France [probably Paris], c.1260, 160 x 105 mm, double column, 43 lines in aGothic pearl script, rubrics in red, capitals struck with red, headlines in red and blue, recto with six-line complex illuminated initial in blue with white tracery on a ground of star-speckled dark blue and pink and with swirling infill, including a cat's head, verso with a sevin-line historiated initial depicting the sawing of Isaiah, the initials with short marginal extensions in colors and gold. A few marginal annotations in a slightly later informal hand. The gold of the main initial somewhat dulled and eroded, general light soiling.
3. Leaf with text from Revelations, France [probably Paris], c.1260, 160 x 100 mm, double column, 43 lines in Gothic pearl script, rubrics in red, capitals struck in red, chapter numbers and running titles in red and blue, one two-line initial in blue with red penwork embellishment, and a five-line initial showing a seated scribe with a small beast's head protruding from the corner, the head and tail of the initial extending into the margins, all painted pink and blue with gold dots. A few contemporary corrections in the margins. Light general soiling, headlines mostly cropped, minor paint erosion in the historiation.
4. Leaf with text from II and II Kings, France [probably Paris], c.1260, 160 x 100 mm, double column, 43 lines in Gothic pearl script, rubrics in red, capitals struck in red, running titles in red and blue, and with a seven-line historiated initial depicting an attendant bringing Abishag to King David, painted mostly pink and blue and embellished with gold dots. A few contemporary corrections in the margins, recto with some indecipherable later writing in the outer margin. Significant erosion in the faces of the figures in the initial, faint overall toning, otherwise in excellent condition. Matted.
1. Leaf with text from Micah and Nahum, France [probably Paris], c.1260, 159 x 103 mm, double column, 43 lines of text in Gothic pearl script, rubrics in red, capitals struck in red, running titles and chapter numbers in red and blue, two two-line initials in red or blue with contrasting penwork stretching the length of the page, one three-line initial in pink on a blue ground and floral motif, with two extenders running an inch in either direction, and a five-line historiated initial with a prophet (Nahum) holding a scroll. With a simple manicula and several later (17th century?) marginal notations, including several sentences (now quite faded) at the bottom of the recto. Light soiling around the edges and a little overall toning, otherwise very fine. Matted.
2. Leaf with text from the prologue and opening of Isaiah, France [probably Paris], c.1260, 160 x 105 mm, double column, 43 lines in aGothic pearl script, rubrics in red, capitals struck with red, headlines in red and blue, recto with six-line complex illuminated initial in blue with white tracery on a ground of star-speckled dark blue and pink and with swirling infill, including a cat's head, verso with a sevin-line historiated initial depicting the sawing of Isaiah, the initials with short marginal extensions in colors and gold. A few marginal annotations in a slightly later informal hand. The gold of the main initial somewhat dulled and eroded, general light soiling.
3. Leaf with text from Revelations, France [probably Paris], c.1260, 160 x 100 mm, double column, 43 lines in Gothic pearl script, rubrics in red, capitals struck in red, chapter numbers and running titles in red and blue, one two-line initial in blue with red penwork embellishment, and a five-line initial showing a seated scribe with a small beast's head protruding from the corner, the head and tail of the initial extending into the margins, all painted pink and blue with gold dots. A few contemporary corrections in the margins. Light general soiling, headlines mostly cropped, minor paint erosion in the historiation.
4. Leaf with text from II and II Kings, France [probably Paris], c.1260, 160 x 100 mm, double column, 43 lines in Gothic pearl script, rubrics in red, capitals struck in red, running titles in red and blue, and with a seven-line historiated initial depicting an attendant bringing Abishag to King David, painted mostly pink and blue and embellished with gold dots. A few contemporary corrections in the margins, recto with some indecipherable later writing in the outer margin. Significant erosion in the faces of the figures in the initial, faint overall toning, otherwise in excellent condition. Matted.