The Nativity in a historiated initial, on a leaf from a manuscript Gradual, on parchment [Low Countries (probably Flanders), fifteenth century]Single large leaf, with large initial 'P' (opening "Puer natus est ...", the introit for Christmas Day)" in pink with white decoration, enclosing a scene of the Nativity before a stable and a hilly landscape, all on angular gold grounds, a bar border on one side of the text in gold, blue and pink, decorated border on three sides of rinceaux foliage terminating in coloured leaves and flower heads and gold leaves and bezants, enclosing sprays of realistic foliage, a spray of blue and red acanthus leaves at foot of bar border, red rubrics, strapwork initials, 9 lines of a fine and angular late Gothic bookhand, with music on a 4-line red stave (rastrum: 15mm.), some cockling at edges and discoloured splashes to lower part of leaf, some scuffing to left-hand half of initial with chipping of paint from Virgin's face, overall fair and presentable condition, 380 by 253mm.The script and style of decoration here point to Flemish liturgical books, such as Bruges, Stadsbibliotheek 108 (reproduced in vlaamse kunst op perkament: Handschriften en miniaturen te Brugge van de 12de tot de 16de eeuw, 1981, no. 56, pl. 58).
The Nativity in a historiated initial, on a leaf from a manuscript Gradual, on parchment [Low Countries (probably Flanders), fifteenth century]Single large leaf, with large initial 'P' (opening "Puer natus est ...", the introit for Christmas Day)" in pink with white decoration, enclosing a scene of the Nativity before a stable and a hilly landscape, all on angular gold grounds, a bar border on one side of the text in gold, blue and pink, decorated border on three sides of rinceaux foliage terminating in coloured leaves and flower heads and gold leaves and bezants, enclosing sprays of realistic foliage, a spray of blue and red acanthus leaves at foot of bar border, red rubrics, strapwork initials, 9 lines of a fine and angular late Gothic bookhand, with music on a 4-line red stave (rastrum: 15mm.), some cockling at edges and discoloured splashes to lower part of leaf, some scuffing to left-hand half of initial with chipping of paint from Virgin's face, overall fair and presentable condition, 380 by 253mm.The script and style of decoration here point to Flemish liturgical books, such as Bruges, Stadsbibliotheek 108 (reproduced in vlaamse kunst op perkament: Handschriften en miniaturen te Brugge van de 12de tot de 16de eeuw, 1981, no. 56, pl. 58).
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
