Collection of leaves from Psalters, in Latin, decorated or illuminated manuscripts on parchment [thirteenth and fourteenth century] Thirteen leaves, including: (i) two leaves from a fine Psalter, each with an animal initial, each with single column of 18 lines of a professional angular early gothic bookhand, with biting curves, lateral compression, and wedged clubbing to ascenders, written above topline, red rubrics, one-line initials in gold on pink and blue grounds, 2-line initials in orange-red or blue on burnished gold grounds, each with one of these enclosing an exquisitely painted blue winged griffon or a lion who looks back over his shoulder at the text, small scuffs and spots in places, paper adhering from last mount, else in excellent condition, each 165 by 125mm., France, early thirteenth century (before 1230); (ii) leaf from a Psalter-Hours, single column of 12 lines, red rubrics, one-line initials in gold on blue and pink grounds, line-fillers in same, one 2-line initial in dark pink with white circles overlaid, enclosing a spray of foliage on gold grounds the foliage emerging from a long-necked beast's mouth, curving coloured extensions into three margins, with an animal seated at the top of the page (probably a hare), trimmed at edges and with losses to border decoration there, scuffs to gold in places and small amount of discolouration, else fair and presentable condition, 93 by 66mm., northern France, late thirteenth century; (iii) three leaves from a Psalter, each with single column of 19/20 lines, written below topline, numerous one-line initials set off in margin in gold or blue with blue or red penwork, line-fillers in same in geometric and foliate patterns (some of these with decorative penwork trailing into margin), 2-line initials in gold containing sprays of white foliage on blue and pink grounds, small spots, else excellent condition, 142 by 96mm., France (probably Paris), c. 1270; plus another 7 leaves, including one from a Psalter dispersed by Ege (HL 325), and another with an inscription recording its purchase in 'High Holborn 1864', as well as one with a fine penwork bird Other leaves from the same parent manuscript as item (i) here can be found in Quaritch, cat. 1270, Bookhands of the Middle Ages VI (2000), no. 33; our rooms, 27 October 2011, lot 4; and Pirages, cat. 47, nos. 20 and 49. Other leaves form the same manuscript as item (iii) appear in Christie's, 7 December 1988, lot 7; Maggs Bros, European Bulletin 15 (c. 1990), no 59 (with illustration); Quaritch, cat. 1147, Bookhands of the Middle Ages V (1991), no. 20 (with illustration); and Sotheby's, 2 December 1997, lot 55 (with illustration).
Collection of leaves from Psalters, in Latin, decorated or illuminated manuscripts on parchment [thirteenth and fourteenth century] Thirteen leaves, including: (i) two leaves from a fine Psalter, each with an animal initial, each with single column of 18 lines of a professional angular early gothic bookhand, with biting curves, lateral compression, and wedged clubbing to ascenders, written above topline, red rubrics, one-line initials in gold on pink and blue grounds, 2-line initials in orange-red or blue on burnished gold grounds, each with one of these enclosing an exquisitely painted blue winged griffon or a lion who looks back over his shoulder at the text, small scuffs and spots in places, paper adhering from last mount, else in excellent condition, each 165 by 125mm., France, early thirteenth century (before 1230); (ii) leaf from a Psalter-Hours, single column of 12 lines, red rubrics, one-line initials in gold on blue and pink grounds, line-fillers in same, one 2-line initial in dark pink with white circles overlaid, enclosing a spray of foliage on gold grounds the foliage emerging from a long-necked beast's mouth, curving coloured extensions into three margins, with an animal seated at the top of the page (probably a hare), trimmed at edges and with losses to border decoration there, scuffs to gold in places and small amount of discolouration, else fair and presentable condition, 93 by 66mm., northern France, late thirteenth century; (iii) three leaves from a Psalter, each with single column of 19/20 lines, written below topline, numerous one-line initials set off in margin in gold or blue with blue or red penwork, line-fillers in same in geometric and foliate patterns (some of these with decorative penwork trailing into margin), 2-line initials in gold containing sprays of white foliage on blue and pink grounds, small spots, else excellent condition, 142 by 96mm., France (probably Paris), c. 1270; plus another 7 leaves, including one from a Psalter dispersed by Ege (HL 325), and another with an inscription recording its purchase in 'High Holborn 1864', as well as one with a fine penwork bird Other leaves from the same parent manuscript as item (i) here can be found in Quaritch, cat. 1270, Bookhands of the Middle Ages VI (2000), no. 33; our rooms, 27 October 2011, lot 4; and Pirages, cat. 47, nos. 20 and 49. Other leaves form the same manuscript as item (iii) appear in Christie's, 7 December 1988, lot 7; Maggs Bros, European Bulletin 15 (c. 1990), no 59 (with illustration); Quaritch, cat. 1147, Bookhands of the Middle Ages V (1991), no. 20 (with illustration); and Sotheby's, 2 December 1997, lot 55 (with illustration).
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
