Christ and the Virgin Enthroned before All Saints, miniature on a leaf from a Book of Hours, Use of Bourges, in Latin [France (Bourges), c.1480]

single leaf, 168×110mm, vellum, with a miniature for the Litany ruled for 31 lines, 140×73mm, but with 32 on recto, containing the end of the Penitential Psalms, arched top slightly cropped, in good 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."

The style of this miniature is a very fine example of the work of Jean Colombe, one of the most influential artists working in Bourges in the late 15th century. This leaf was folio 15 in a lavishly illuminated but textually very incomplete Book of Hours sold at Christie’s, 25 June 1997, lot 27. The tall, narrow layout of this manuscript is highly unusual and the iconographic scheme shows that this was once a luxuriously illuminated manuscript. The present miniature opened the litany which is illustrated only very rarely. It shows the Coronation of the Virgin, accompanied in the lower half by a multitude of saints, mostly seen from behind so that their heads are obscured by their solid gold halos. Colombe used this composition before, notably in the Très Riches Heures of Jean, duc de Berry.