Beschreibung:

Collection of binding fragments from decorated and illuminated manuscripts, in Latin, on vellum 35 leaves, (a) frontispiece from an illuminated manuscript of Sermons, with the initial 'I' (opening In nomine domine ...') enclosing a full-length portrait of the author dressed as a Benedictine monk and pointing to a copy of his text, with full border decoration of acanthus-leaves and bezants (much rubbed), and an architectural column separating the two columns of text, 60 lines of text in a small rounded hand, rubrics in red, 2 initials in blue and red with contrasting penwork tracery, contemporary number '2' with paragraph mark in upper margin of verso, Italy (probably Bologna), mid fourteenth century; (b) twenty-two substantial fragments from a series of illuminated Canon Law manuscripts (20 bisected laterally, and another almost complete bifolium measuring 400mm. by 445mm.), one bearing two coats of arms within an initial 'B' of a black bear on a burnished gold background and another on a white background (perhaps those of the influential Orsini family of Rome, whose arms included two bears), Italy (most probably Bologna or Padua), second half of the fourteenth century; (c) eight fragments of bifolia, bisected laterally, and each measuring approximately 430mm. by 130mm., from a choirbook, with music on a 4-line brown stave and numerous small red initials, Italy, fourteenth century; (d) three fragments of bifolia, bisected laterally, each approximately 400mm. by 150mm., from a glossed Bible, Italy, thirteenth century; (e) a large bifolium from a religious commentary, 360mm. by 500mm., 2 columns, 56 lines in brown ink, remains of 4 intials in blue and red with contrasting penwork, Italy, fourteenth century; all recovered from bindings and hence somewhat defective