MEDIEVAL ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT BIBLE LEAF WITH HISTORIATED INITIAL INCORPORATING THE BIBLICAL MAGI
An original illuminated manuscript Bible leaf, Europe [Italy, Florence, c.1450-70 AD], an extract from the Book of Isaiah, Chapter 60. Leaf size 270 x 190 mm, on fine animal vellum. Latin text in gothic bookhand, single column of twenty lines in brown and red ink on both sides, justification 160 x 120 mm. Four-line historiated initial 'S' (35 x 35 mm) depicting the Biblical Magi or three 'Wise Men' in contrasting colours of green, blue and pink foliage set against a golden ground, the initial terminals extend slightly into the border with tendrils and leaves interspersed with flowers and gold disks, a two-line decorative initial above similarly executed, the verso with a three-line initial. A finely executed leaf with exquisite workmanship and in remarkably good condition. Left margin very slightly trimmed, some moderate and even cockling across the whole leaf, and a coupe of gold discs rubbed, but overall in excellent condition.
Note: The svelte execution and characteristic facial expressions show these initials to be an example of the work of Ser Ricciardo di Nanni, a priest who lived at Castelfiorentino from around 1430 to 1480 and whose work as an illuminator is documented from 1449.
