AN ILLUMINATED VELLUM MANUSCRIPT LEAF WITH A SMALL MINIAT...

TEXT FROM GOSPEL LESSONS.

      Paris, ca. 1460 120 x 85 mm. (4 3/4 x 3 1/2""). Single column 15 lines of text in a fine regular gothic book hand. Attractively matted. Rubrics in red verso with two line fillers in colors and gold as well as a two-line burnished gold initial on a pink and maroon ground with white tracery the capital decorated with a graceful blue tendril bearing two orange and white flowers recto of the leaf with an elaborate vertical panel border in the fore margin featuring animated flowers and other vegetation and many burnished gold ivy leaves on hairline stems verso with a similar (though more lush) panel border (and with a vertical bar border of red blue and burnished gold next to it) the border on the verso extending across the full length of the head and tail margins as well; verso also WITH A CHARMING MINIATURE (measuring approximately 26 x 31 mm.) OF ST. LUKE. A vague hint of marginal creasing top margin very small (though nothing cut into) a very minor loss of paint from the wall behind the saint otherwise in virtually faultless condition very bright clean and fresh. The considerable charm of this miniature lies in the rapport conveyed by the artist between St. Luke and his symbol a golden bull. Both are in a room the floor of a light and dark green tessellated pattern suggesting depth the windows at the back partially obscured by a red tapestry screen decorated with an intricate gold design. A thoughtful Luke dressed in voluminous blue robes with gilded folds writes on the long scroll unfolded over his knees while the ox his hindquarters cut off by the miniature's frame sits comfortably on the floor his forelegs folded under his breast watching and smiling in approval. A particularly interesting feature of the room is that the triangular wall space in which two windows are set appears to be in an attic and a wood-planked ceiling fills the two upper corners. The text relates the story of the annunciation to the Virgin. $3500