Ian Ehling
Head of Department
Lot 25
ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPTS: HOSEA, JOHN, JAMES, AND PSALM 97. 4 illumintated portable Bible leaves on vellum,
11 December 2020, 10:00 EST
New YorkSold for US$5,100 inc. premium
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ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPTS: HOSEA, JOHN, JAMES, AND PSALM 97.
4 illumintated portable Bible leaves on vellum, including:
1. Leaf with text from the end of Hosea and the beginning of Joel, France, mid-13th century, 152 x 103 mm., double column, 50 lines of text in Gothic pearl script, rubrics in red, capitals struck with red, headings and chapter numbers in red or blue, the latter with penwork extensions running the length of the text, two two-line initials in red, and two illuminated initials in colors and gold as well as a seven-line "I" with a small dog's head biting the five-line ascender, and a five-line historiated initial depicting the prophet Joel reading from a scroll. With a few words of contemporary marginalia. Overall slight darkening, tiny loss of gold from the prophet's nimbus, otherwise fine. Matted.
2. Leaf with text from the first epistle of John, France, mid-13th century, 150 x 103 double column, 50 lines of text in a very fine Gothic pearl script, rubrics in red, capitals struck with red, headings and chapter numbers in red or blue, four two-line initials in red or blue, with trailing penwork extensions in red and blue, and a four-line historiated "Q"in colors and gold containing a depiction of St. John writing, the initial with a 19-line extension. With (partially trimmed) marginal emendations in a very small contemporary hand. Minor soiling to gutter edge of leaf, otherwise fine.
3. Leaf with text from the first epistle of St. James, France [probably Paris], c.1260, 158 x 102 mm, double column, 43 lines of text in Gothic pearl script, rubrics in red, capitals struck with red, headings and chapter number in red and blue, one two-line initial in blue with trailing penwork in red, one three-line initial in colors and gold with a four-line ascender, and A 21-line "I" with full-length figure of St. James holding a scroll, a bird-mammal hybrid creature at his feet, with extensions ascending six lines at the head and descending into the tail margin nearly to the edge of the leaf. Faint stain affecting half a dozen words, a bit of soiling to one corner, some darkening. Matted.
4. Leaf with text from Psalm 97, France, mid-13th century, 153 x 103 mm, double column, 50 lines in a very fine gothic pearl script, rubrics in red, numerous one-line initials in red or blue, seven two-line initials in red or blue with contrasting penwork, five-line historiated initial showing two tonsured clerics standing at a lectern with an open book and singing. A few spots toward the gutter, the extreme lower end of some penwork decoration just cut off, otherwise extremely fine. Matted. The charming historiation here is appropriate for the Psalm that occupies much of the present leaf: "O sing unto the Lord a new song, for he hath done marvelous things."
1. Leaf with text from the end of Hosea and the beginning of Joel, France, mid-13th century, 152 x 103 mm., double column, 50 lines of text in Gothic pearl script, rubrics in red, capitals struck with red, headings and chapter numbers in red or blue, the latter with penwork extensions running the length of the text, two two-line initials in red, and two illuminated initials in colors and gold as well as a seven-line "I" with a small dog's head biting the five-line ascender, and a five-line historiated initial depicting the prophet Joel reading from a scroll. With a few words of contemporary marginalia. Overall slight darkening, tiny loss of gold from the prophet's nimbus, otherwise fine. Matted.
2. Leaf with text from the first epistle of John, France, mid-13th century, 150 x 103 double column, 50 lines of text in a very fine Gothic pearl script, rubrics in red, capitals struck with red, headings and chapter numbers in red or blue, four two-line initials in red or blue, with trailing penwork extensions in red and blue, and a four-line historiated "Q"in colors and gold containing a depiction of St. John writing, the initial with a 19-line extension. With (partially trimmed) marginal emendations in a very small contemporary hand. Minor soiling to gutter edge of leaf, otherwise fine.
3. Leaf with text from the first epistle of St. James, France [probably Paris], c.1260, 158 x 102 mm, double column, 43 lines of text in Gothic pearl script, rubrics in red, capitals struck with red, headings and chapter number in red and blue, one two-line initial in blue with trailing penwork in red, one three-line initial in colors and gold with a four-line ascender, and A 21-line "I" with full-length figure of St. James holding a scroll, a bird-mammal hybrid creature at his feet, with extensions ascending six lines at the head and descending into the tail margin nearly to the edge of the leaf. Faint stain affecting half a dozen words, a bit of soiling to one corner, some darkening. Matted.
4. Leaf with text from Psalm 97, France, mid-13th century, 153 x 103 mm, double column, 50 lines in a very fine gothic pearl script, rubrics in red, numerous one-line initials in red or blue, seven two-line initials in red or blue with contrasting penwork, five-line historiated initial showing two tonsured clerics standing at a lectern with an open book and singing. A few spots toward the gutter, the extreme lower end of some penwork decoration just cut off, otherwise extremely fine. Matted. The charming historiation here is appropriate for the Psalm that occupies much of the present leaf: "O sing unto the Lord a new song, for he hath done marvelous things."