- 44
Martyrologies, in Latin, two decorated manuscripts with animal initials, on vellum [Italy, first half of the twelfth century]
Estimate
4,000 - 6,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Vellum
two leaves, (a) most of a leaf, 207mm. by 153mm., 24 lines, the passions of St. Maurice and companions (St. Moritz, 22 September, Bibl. Hag. Lat., p.842, no.5744) and SS. Cosmas and Damian (27 September, prologue, ibid, p.297, no.1970), Carolingian minuscule (praegothica textualis), heading (in red) and opening words in uncials, large zoomorphic initial in penwork formed of a snarling dog wearing a studded collar, two textual corrections, some stress marks added for public reading, edges cropped, c.1100; and (b) a leaf, 395mm. by 265mm., the passions of St. James the Less (1 May, Bibl. Hag. Lat., p.609, no.4093) and SS. Alexander and companions (3 May, ibid, p.44, no.266), two columns, 32 lines, rather disjointed Carolingian minuscule (praegothica textualis), large zoomorphic initial in colours on a panelled ground formed of three dogs, entwined and probably fighting, recovered from use as a wrapper apparently in 1555-56, some wear with creasing and small holes, edges frayed, stains especially on verso, first half of the twelfth century; hessian bindings
Provenance
provenance
Item (a) Bernard Rosenthal, probably acquired in 1956 from his father, Erwin Rosenthal (1889-1981); Quaritch, Bookhands V, cat.1147 (1991), no.35; Schøyen MS 635; item (b) Mark Lansburgh (published by him, 'The Drawing Collection at the Colorado College', The Art Journal, 29, 1970, p.342, fig.3); sold to Laurence Witten (his cat., A Mirror of Manuscripts, cat.18, 1983, no.8); sale in our rooms, 25 June 1985, lot 8; Bernard Rosenthal; Quaritch, Bookhands V, cat.1147 (1991), no.38; Schøyen MS 667.