![CHRIST BEFORE THE APOSTLES, historiated initial on a leaf from a Missal, in Latin, ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT ON VELLUM, [Northern Italy, late 14th century]. 370 x 265 mm. Folio no '135' in pencil, 12 lines of text per page in a very fine formal rounded Italian bookhand, using c-cedilla for 'z' in 'batizantes' (line 10, recto), the text covering the end of the Friday and the beginning of the Saturday after Easter, including on the verso the rubric for Saturday, 'Sabbato in albis; statio ad sanctum Johannem in Laterano. Introitus', and the Introit itself, 'Aduxit [sic] dominus populum suum', illustrated with a LARGE HISTORIATED INITIAL DEPICTING CHRIST BEFORE A GROUP OF FIVE DISCIPLES, against a diaper ground, two foliate initials against burnished gold grounds (minor losses of gold in the outer border of the main initial). Glazed on both sides, in giltwood frame.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2013/CSK/2013_CSK_08952_0004_001(christ_before_the_apostles_historiated_initial_on_a_leaf_from_a_missal062240).jpg?w=1)
![CHRIST BEFORE THE APOSTLES, historiated initial on a leaf from a Missal, in Latin, ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT ON VELLUM, [Northern Italy, late 14th century]. 370 x 265 mm. Folio no '135' in pencil, 12 lines of text per page in a very fine formal rounded Italian bookhand, using c-cedilla for 'z' in 'batizantes' (line 10, recto), the text covering the end of the Friday and the beginning of the Saturday after Easter, including on the verso the rubric for Saturday, 'Sabbato in albis; statio ad sanctum Johannem in Laterano. Introitus', and the Introit itself, 'Aduxit [sic] dominus populum suum', illustrated with a LARGE HISTORIATED INITIAL DEPICTING CHRIST BEFORE A GROUP OF FIVE DISCIPLES, against a diaper ground, two foliate initials against burnished gold grounds (minor losses of gold in the outer border of the main initial). Glazed on both sides, in giltwood frame.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2013/CSK/2013_CSK_08952_0004_000(christ_before_the_apostles_historiated_initial_on_a_leaf_from_a_missal062154).jpg?w=1)
Details
CHRIST BEFORE THE APOSTLES, historiated initial on a leaf from a Missal, in Latin, ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT ON VELLUM, [Northern Italy, late 14th century]. 370 x 265 mm. Folio no '135' in pencil, 12 lines of text per page in a very fine formal rounded Italian bookhand, using c-cedilla for 'z' in 'batizantes' (line 10, recto), the text covering the end of the Friday and the beginning of the Saturday after Easter, including on the verso the rubric for Saturday, 'Sabbato in albis; statio ad sanctum Johannem in Laterano. Introitus', and the Introit itself, 'Aduxit [sic] dominus populum suum', illustrated with a LARGE HISTORIATED INITIAL DEPICTING CHRIST BEFORE A GROUP OF FIVE DISCIPLES, against a diaper ground, two foliate initials against burnished gold grounds (minor losses of gold in the outer border of the main initial). Glazed on both sides, in giltwood frame.
A charming and unusual example of Italian illumination showing influence from north of the Alps.
A charming and unusual example of Italian illumination showing influence from north of the Alps.
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 20% will be added to the buyer's premium, which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.
Sale room notice
This leaf has been identified as part of a series of Missals produced in Avignon c.1400-1410 and belonging to antipope Benedict XIII. Its parent volume is now Montecassino, Archivio dell'Abbazia MS 539, which is missing many leaves.