A Merchant offering Luxury Goods for Sale, illuminated miniature cut from a manuscript of Justinian on vellum

a cutting, 90 mm. by 75 mm., with a rectangular miniature 52 mm. by 75 mm., a merchant in a red tunic holds up a gold cup and the silver and white belt with gold finials, a customer on the right in a grey tunic contests the price by counting on his fingers, tessellated grounds of blue and pinkish-brown, illuminated border, above a large illuminated initial 'S' ("Scripsit edictum edilium curalium ..."), part of 7 lines of text, a bit faded, in an elaborately carved French fruitwood frame in Renaissance style, with elegant foliate scrolls inhabited by satyrs, griffins and various animals, and the inner section with masks and serpents (mirror cracks in places)

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."

The delicate secular miniature is from the Cholet group of Parisian illuminators, as defined by R. Branner, Manuscript Painting in Paris during the Reign of Saint Louis, 1977, pp. 130-32 and 237-8.  The artist's most famous manuscript is the great Montpellier Chansonnier (Faculté de Médecine ms H 196; cf. J. Malo-Renault, 'Un chansonnier manuscrit de l'école de Jean Pucelle à Montpellier', Trésors des bibliothèques de France, IV, 1933, pp. 145-56).

The piece here is from the opening of Book XXI of the Digest of Justinian, dealing with the laws of buying and selling.