Lot 9
  • 9

St Paul and a Confessor, historiated initials on two leaves from a Gradual, in Latin [Italy (perhaps Abruzzo or Marche), mid-14th century]

Estimate
1,000 - 2,000 GBP
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Description

  • illuminated manuscript on vellum
two leaves, each c.470/5x345mm, vellum, with initials 'S' and 'O' for the feasts of St Paul in the Sanctorale and a Confessor in the Common of Saints, six lines of text and music on four-line red staves, rastrum 44mm, cockled and rubbed, face of the Confessor darkened, corner of one leaf repaired, cropped, in fair condition

Catalogue Note

These two leaves provide a record for manuscript illumination in little known areas of central Italy, namely the region of Abruzzo and the Marche. The recent exhibition catalogue Illuminare l'Abruzzo: Codici miniati tra Medioevo e Rinascimento of 2012 offers some insight into the production of Abruzzo, from the early Middle Ages to the Renaissance. The area of the Marche north of Abruzzo is even less researched as so little survives. Illumination from these areas resembles to some degree book production from the neighbouring region of Umbria, with Perugia as its capital city, and one of Italy's artistic centres.