Original leaf from a medieval manuscript pocket Bible with illuminations from the Johannes Grusch Atelier. Latin gothic minuscule script, ruled in red and written in brown ink, on animal vellum.(Leaf size 150x100 mm).
Rubricated chapter numbers, initials and marginalia in red and blue. 44 lines of text in double columns (12 lines per inch!). Other leaves from this same book were exhibited in the Jeanne Blackburn Collection at the Cleveland Art Museum (pl. 7 & 8).
France: Paris, c. A.D. 1240-50.
One six-line historiated initial P in pink with white tracery and on a dark blue ground, which extends into the margin becoming a wonderful dragon-like creature in colors of blue, green, gold, orange and white. The center of the initial portrays Judah in armor and holding a sword and shield - in colors of orange, blue, brown, pink and white.
This leaf begins with text from the last chapter of the book of Joshua - a summary of his accomplishments (including the battle of Jerico) and a renewal of the covenant. Josue (Joshua) 24:6-33: ''Eduxique vos…'' (and I brought you and your fathers out of Egypt, and you came to the sea: and the Egyptians pursued your fathers with chariots and horsemen, as far as the Red Sea…).
The historiated initial ''P'' opens The Book of Judges: 1:1-27: ''Post mortem Josue…'' (After the death of Josue the children of Israel consulted the Lord…and Juda said to Simeon his brother: Come up with me into my lot, and fight against the Chanaanite…).
This leaf is from a “portable” Bible of the Crusades period & would have been used in abstract study of theology or preaching of the Gospel around medieval countryside.
Shipped in archival 14x11'' mat.
