Medieval Bible Leaf c 1225-50 - II Corinthians Stork in Initial

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Original leaf from a medieval manuscript folio Bible Latin gothic script, hand-written in brown ink, on animal vellum. Rubricated chapter numbers, initials & marginalia in red & blue. 53 lines of text in double columns.(283 x 191mm – 11 1/8 x 7 ½’’mm) 

Four multi-line illuminated initials alternating in red with blue penwork & blue with red penwork - each extending along the margins in red and blue. One exceptional five-line illuminated initial in pink with delicate white penwork with an interior hosting a stylized stork  (symbol of prudence, vigilance, piety and chastity) in blue, white, red, and pink, all on a burnished gold ground.  

Six scribal omissions in the marginsthese omissions are surrounded by a red box indicating the “transcription had been systematically checked for accuracy” (De Hamel, Scribes and Illuminators, p. 43).  

France (probably Paris), c. 1225-50.

The large size of the page is unusual in 13th century Bible production! The book from which this leaf came was a very high-quality production, Calligraphy is excellent, & vellum is of the finest style.                                                     

Line three begins II Corinthians 9:6–13:13: “Hoc autem…” (Now this I say: He who soweth sparingly, shall also reap sparingly: & he who soweth in blessings shall also reap blessings. Everyone as he hath determined in his heart, not with sadness, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver…False apostles are deceitful workmen, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no wonder: for Satan himself transformeth himself into an angel of light…Brethren rejoice, be perfect, take exhortation, be of one mind, have peace; & the God of peace and love shall be with you…).

The elaborate illuminated “G” begins the prologue for Galatians:  “Galate sunt greci…” (The Galatians are Greeks). 

Presented in an archival 16 x 12'' mat

  • Inventory# IM-11722
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