Large illuminated leaf from an Antiphonal centred on the word Jerusalem.
Venice: circa 1430.
Illuminated leaf on vellum, 469 x 353 mm., with illuminated initial "I", 122 x 90 mm. (body of initial); initial on a burnished gold ground and painted in rich colours of blue, red, green and ochre, the initial extended with lush leafy decoration in similar colours with a bird-head terminal to form a full marginal border, several small gold balls around the decoration; square musical notation on red 4-line staves, 7 lines of interlinear text in a large rounded gothic script. Framed.
A leaf of exceptional quality from an early fifteenth century Venetian Antiphonal. The extravagantly illuminated initial "I", which includes a wolf's head in the decoration, introduces the text "Ierusalem cito veni", a Responsory at Matins for the Second Sunday in Advent.
A leaf of exceptional quality from an early fifteenth century Venetian Antiphonal. The extravagantly illuminated initial "I", which includes a wolf's head in the decoration, introduces the text "Ierusalem cito veni", a Responsory at Matins for the Second Sunday in Advent.
The very rich colours of the foliate decoration are characteristic of the work of Christopher Cortese (fl.1409-39), the leading Venetian illuminator of his day.
Condition Report: In fine fresh condition.
Price (AUD): $7,500.00
US$4,950.54 Other currencies