Original leaf from an English manuscript pocket Bible. Written in Latin in minute gothic book-hand script, in brown ink on animal vellum. (160x115 mm).
Rubricated chapter numbers, initials and marginalia in red and blue. 45 lines of text in double columns (12 lines per inch!). One multi-lined illuminated initial in deep blue with delicate red penwork – extending along margin.
England, probably East Anglia, c. 1250-75.
Text begins Luke 8:28 - 9:60: ''Voca magna…'' (Crying out with a loud voice, he said: What have I to do with thee, Jesus, Son of the most high God? I beseech thee, do not torment me. For he commanded the unclean spirit to go out of the man...Thy faith hath made thee whole; go thy way in peace...Taking the five loaves & the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, & blessed them; & he broke, & distributed to his disciples, to set before the multitude... Whosoever will save his life, shall lose it; for he that shall lose his life for my sake, shall save it...Whilst he prayed, the shape of his countenance was altered, & his raiment became white & glittering. And behold two men were talking with him. And they were Moses & Elias, appearing in majesty...This is my beloved Son; hear him...The Son of Man came not to destroy souls, but to save...).
Provenance: (Ref: Gwara hand list #245) ex-collection Otto F. Ege - Dean of the Cleveland Institute of Art & Lecturer on History of the Book in the School of Library Science, Western Reserve University.
This leaf, from a ''portable'' Bible during the period of the Crusades, would have been used in the abstract study of theology or the preaching of the Gospel around the medieval countryside.
Shipped in archival 14x11'' mat.
