Catalog Archive
Auction 199, Lot 731

Superb Illuminated Initial

"[Antiphonal Leaf]", Anon.

Subject: Music

Period: 1500 (circa)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
15 x 21.6 inches
38.1 x 54.9 cm
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A large sheet of vellum containing the text of a Gradual, with four-line music. It is boldly written in Latin in black and red ink with one huge initial hand-painted in pink, blue, green and burnished gold, as well as four initials with intricate pen work in red, blue and purple. The text includes parts of Psalms 76 and 136, and beginning with the illuminated letter "S" translates as:

If I ever forget you, Alleluia, let my right hand be forgotten
May my tongue adhere to my jaws, if I do not remember you, Alleluia, Alleluia
Above the rivers of Babylon, there we sat and wept, while we remembered Zion
The waters saw you, O God, the waters saw you, and they were afraid
Great was the sound of the waters. The clouds uttered a voice. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia
Your flashes have illuminated the whole world. The earth has quaked and trembled.

References:

Condition: B+

The black ink has begun to fade and there is light soiling. The recto is lightly toned, as usual.

Estimate: $1,300 - $1,600

Unsold

Closed on 9/11/2024

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