Lot 13

Four miniatures on cuttings from two illuminated choirbook manuscripts on vellum

Estimate

3,000 - 5,000 GBP

bidding is closed

Description

4 miniatures on cuttings, (a) two cuttings from a choirbook, each 70mm. by 66mm., the first with an initial 'U' in blue heightened in white with softly coloured sprays, enclosing a female martyr in red robes, holding a green book and the palm of martyrdom on blue grounds heightened with elaborate white penwork, and all on thick burnished gold ground, remains of a single line of text with music on a 4-line red stave on verso, the second with an initial 'A' in same enclosing a crowned king in red robes who holds a sceptre and bears witness with his right hand, probably St. Louis, some minor flaking from upper left hand corner of second, probably Milan, c. 1480; (b) two cuttings from a choirbook, 80mm. by 85mm. and 90mm. by 95mm. respectively, the first with an initial 'H' in pink surrounded by leafy acanthus-sprays, enclosing St. Benedict dressed in white monastic robes and holding a book and a crosier, on black ground, entire initial on burnished gold ground, remains of three lines of text on verso, the second with an initial 'O' in same enclosing St. Laurence holding a book and a palm of martyrdom, small smudge to background of first, else in excellent condition, both laid down on red velvet, Verona, possibly Venice, c. 1470

Catalogue Note

All these miniatures are well executed and in excellent condition. Those of item (a) here are in the style of the Master of the Breviary of Daniele di Birago, who worked in Milan around 1480.

From a private collection in Canada.