- 13
The martyrdom of St. Agatha, large historiated initial on a cutting from an illuminated manuscript choirbook, on vellum
Estimate
3,000 - 5,000 GBP
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Description
- Vellum
a cutting, 174mm. by 132mm., with a large initial 'D' (most probably opening 'Dum torqueretur beata Agatha ...', a response for the Feast of Saint Agatha, 5 February), 163mm. high, enclosing two compartments, St. Agatha tied by her hands and hair to the dividing bar in the lower one, surrounded by torturers with scourges and two men who are about to cut off her breasts with flexible wire-saws, in the upper the Roman Prefect Quintianus seated on an elaborate architectural throne before a soldier and members of his court, entire initial on burnished gold ground, verso with remains of 2 lines of text with music on 4-line red stave, and '123' in nineteenth-century hand, folds to left hand edge of cutting with affect only to edges of foliate extensions, two small areas of cracking to gold in upper part of cutting with some losses (one repaired with gold paint), else good and presentable condition
From the same manuscript as the preceding lot.
St. Agatha died c. 251 at the hands of the Roman Prefect Quintianus, having dedicated her virginity to God and rejected his advances. She was tortured and her breasts cut off, and owing to the similar shape of her attribute she is the patron-saint of bell-founders and bakers.
From the same manuscript as the preceding lot.
St. Agatha died c. 251 at the hands of the Roman Prefect Quintianus, having dedicated her virginity to God and rejected his advances. She was tortured and her breasts cut off, and owing to the similar shape of her attribute she is the patron-saint of bell-founders and bakers.
Condition
Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."