Large leaf from a Bible, decorated manuscript in Latin on vellum, [Germany, 15th century (middle?)]

Property from the Albright-Knox Art Gallery

Large leaf from a Bible

Decorated manuscript in Latin on vellum. [Germany, 15th century (middle?)]

Single leaf, c.450×285mm; 2 columns of 46 lines (c.305×195mm); the text comprising Isaiah 43:22–45:19; decorated with a chapter initial on each side, alternating blue with reddish penwork, or red with yellowish penwork; running header ‘YSA IAS’. With some minor cockling and staining at the edges, but a large and imposing leaf, similar in dimensions and overall appearance to a Gutenberg Bible.

LITERATURE:

Judith Oliver, Manuscripts Sacred and Secular from the Collections of the Endowment for Biblical Research and Boston University (Boston, 1985), no. 42.

Scott Gwara, Otto Ege’s Manuscripts (Cayce, SC, 2013), Handlist no. 233; citing only two other leaves.

PROVENANCE:

Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, NY; [Gallery Purchase, 1942?] (1942:468.21)