Three men seated in discussion (most probably Scaevola, Laelius and Fannius), large miniature evidently from an illuminated manuscript of Cicero, De Amicitia, in French translation, on vellum [Central France (perhaps Nantes or Tours), third quarter of the fifteenth century]

Estimate

5,000 - 7,000 GBP

bidding is closed

Description

Vellum

lateral section through a leaf, 215mm. by 150mm., with a large rectangular miniature enclosing three bearded men seated at a table, a book open before them, a medieval city and a courtyard with four men (perhaps actors) visible through windows, border on two sides of coloured acanthus leaves and foliage, enclosing a court jester, some flaking with slight damage to face of one figure, discolouration to edges and borders, and laid down on board, but lifting at top to reveal name “pirthus fitz achil[les]”, ie. Pyrrus or Neoptolomus who is noted in De Amicitia, ch.75, nineteenth-century “no. 474” on reverse, else good condition, carved gilt frame

Catalogue Note

From the same manuscript as the previous lot.