Medieval Bible Leaf - Lexicon - Exceptional Miniature

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Original leaf from an exceptional folio size medieval manuscript Bible. Three columns of forty-seven lines, written in attractive rounded gothic handon animal vellum. (330 x 230 mm - 13.2 x 9.2"). Line extenders, & marginalia are in red and blue.

Seven illuminated two-line initials alternating in blue with red penwork and red with violet penwork.

Exceptional sixteen-line historiated initial containing a miniature painting (possibly St. Francis of Assisi) extending the length of the inner margin with flowers & a whimsical creature in blue, orange, gold, taupe, pink & white.        

Southwestern France, c. 1300.

The illumination is in an unusual Provincial style – with the script showing Italian influences.                       

This leaf contains a lexicon, or interpretation of Hebrew names, beginning with ''E'' (including Ethan and Ezechias), The historiated initial begins names starting with ''F''.

The miniature painting in the initial is possibly St. Francis of Assisi holding a book (canonized July, 1228, a book is one of his attributes).

Provenance: The parent book for this leaf was formerly in the collection of Sir Thomas Phillips & Sir Chester A. Beatty. The manuscript was sold at the Sotheby’s Beatty Sale (24 June 1969) lot 57 & subsequently dissembled.  Sister leaves appeared in Quaritch catalog 1036 & 1056 (1985).

Presented in an archival 20x16'' mat.

  • Inventory# IM-4025
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