Catalogue 44: Illuminations

Catalogue 44: Illuminations, with complete descriptions and images of all the miniatures, can be viewed now by clicking the PDF icon at right (the file is large and may require a little patience while downloading). To request a copy of the catalogue on CD-ROM, click here.

Items for Sale

Matches 1-10 of 14
1 2 Next Last

Large historiated initial of an apostle on a full leaf from a gradual. [Illuminated manuscript initial on vellum.] Italy (Milan), c. 1400. Full leaf with historiated initial "E" showing a bearded sainted apostle, dressed in robes of pink and mauve and holding a palm in one hand and a book in the other; the initial painted in pink on a chequered orange background and in a blue frame and with foliate extension; four ornamental illuminated initials, one of them infilled with decorative fern-like plants and with foliate marginal extension, square musical notation on eight four-line staves. Size of leaf: 482 x 332mm. 8 lines of interlinear text in a rounded gothic hand. Framed. A fine historiated initial of... $19,500.00

Illuminated manuscript initial on vellum. The initial ‘P’ cut from a large antiphonal. [with] Illuminated manuscript initial on vellum. The initial ‘D’ cut from a large antiphonal. [Illuminated manuscript initials on vellum. Master of Morgan 85] France (?Tours), c. 1500-1520. 2 pantings, (see below) framed and glazed in fine condition. A very large (220 x 170 mm) illuminated miniature of the nativity of Christ, set inside a large stable. Possibly by the “Master of Morgan 85” (see below). with a very large (190 x 190 mm) illuminated miniature of David and Goliath. Possibly by the “Master of Morgan 85” (see below). These two magnificent miniatures have been shown to be closely linked to a group of cuttings from a monumental French renaissance choirbook – see for example the ‘Entry into Jerusalem’ in Bernard Breslauer’s collection which... $25,000.00

Two leaves from the Llangattock Breviary [Illuminated manuscript leaf on vellum] Ferrara, c.1450. [a] 267 x 197 mm. Four borders consisting of colored flowers and burnished gold disks on scrolling vine stems or of burnished gold bars flowering at top and bottom into sprays of leaves, buds and gold disks connected with elaborate pen-work stems; one 4-line illuminated initial in mauve, blue and burnished gold, four 2-line initials in burnished gold on mauve or blue grounds with white tracery; one-line initials in burnished gold with blue pen-flourishing or blue with red pen-flourishing. Double columns of 30 lines, ruled in lead, justification: 161 x 125mm, written in a rounded gothic liturgical script... $11,750.00

Christ with the Cross from an Antiphonal. [Illuminated manuscript leaf on vellum.] German: c. 1500. 132 x 155 mm. Matted. An intriguing painting, showing the instruments of the Passion, a crowing cock, the head of Judas, the forty pieces of silver &c. A somewhat surreal piece, with the head and some of the instruments floating in the air against a rich blue background, Christ standing before a tomb clad in loincloth and red cloak with a blue cloak on the tomb, a ladder and pillar at each side. Some surface wear and slight damage but an interesting and unusual painting. Full description and images available on my website. ... $6,500.00

Historiated initial ‘U’ of a standing Saint, cut to shape from a choirbook. [Illuminated manuscript leaf on vellum.] Central Italy, c.1250 Matted, in fine condition. A well-painted initial of a man in flowing blue and pink robes holding a book to which he gestures, probably Saint Paul. Italian miniature paintings of this period are known to be difficult to localize with any accuracy but as the face is strongly drawn with well-proportioned features it might well hail from central Italy. Full description and images available on my website. ... $5,750.00

Illuminated miniature of the Annunciation. [Illuminated manuscript leaf on vellum.] Florence: c.1470-1480. 127 c 187 mm, verso blank. Framed. This glorious leaf is unmistakably in the style of Francesco di Antonio del Chierico, one of the finest Florentine illuminators of the period. Garzelli reproduces several miniatures of the Annunciation and one miniature in particular, (now in Modena, Bib. Estense, cod. lat 855f, 13v, see fig. 212 in Garzoni’s catalogue) shows several close parallels with this leaf. The style and attitude of the Virgin is especially close, as is the treatment of the window. Also, in the border, there are similarities in the figure of God the father, the urns supported... $26,500.00

The Annunciation to the Shepherds. [Illuminated manuscript leaf on vellum.] French: c. 1480. 180 x 110 mm. Large miniature from a Book of Hours, with borders painted in liquid gold and chocolate with foliation in red, green, blue and gold. The central panel includes sheep highlighted in silver which is unusual, the landscape and the shepherds being in fresh and clean condition. One or two abrasions and two tiny holes in borders, generally very good. A good example. Full description and images available on my website. ... $6,000.00

Horae BVM. (Hours) Illuminated manuscript on vellum. [Illuminated manuscript on vellum.] Rouen, c. 1480. Sm. 4to. (204 x 133mm.). 8 full-page miniatures in arched compartments within full-borders of coloured flowers, fruit and acanthus leaves on liquid gold grounds, calendar written in red and blue. Attractive panel border on every page, composed of coloured fruit, flowers and acanthus leaves on liquid gold grounds. Many four-line initials supplied in blue or red on contrasting grounds with calligraphic decoration in liquid gold, numerous one- and two- line initials throughout painted in liquid gold on grounds of either red or blue. 96 leaves. 22 lines of text written in a dark brown ink in a... $87,500.00

Bible in Latin. New Testament. Gospel according to St. John. [Illuminated manuscript.] Paris, second half 13th century Slim 8vo, manuscript on vellum, (232 x 158 mm.). Written in a small regular gothic book hand in brown ink. 51 lines. 2 cols. 12 ff. Headings in red, chapter numbers and running titles in alternate red and blue (a few running titles shaved). Initial “I” with miniature of St. John in deep blue, pale rose and burnished gold, c. 7 cm. high, with decorative lower extender into the bottom margin; fine miniature of St. Paul holding a sword in the bowl of a large “P”, in rose, grey and gold inside the blue initial... $145,000.00

Calendar and Gospel Sequences, in Latin, Illuminated Manuscript on Vellum. [Illuminated manuscript.] [Western France, c.1415]. 16 leaves, 218 x 153mm, complete in itself but probably once part of a larger book, collation: i-ii8, the Gospel Sequences 22 lines, ruled in red ink, written-space 121 x 86mm, written in dark brown ink in a gothic liturgical hand (with a change of scribe on fol.14v, line 9), headings in red, capitals touched in red, 2- to 3-line initials in blue or burnished gold with detailed penwork in red or dark blue, FULL-PAGE MINIATURE of the Crucifixion on fol.13v, the miniature 143 x 104mm, the Crucifixion in the center with the Cross held by pegs... $87,500.00

1 2 Next Last