Antiques for Sale > Books, Manuscripts & Autographs

IM-4607: (140x150mm) Beautiful original historiated initial excised from a highly illuminated manuscript Choir Book.  Executed by hand on animal parchment with tempera and heavily burnished gold. On verso are vestiges of black square note music on a red four-line stave with rotunda script in black.  France, c. 1530

A handsome miniature in fine condition from what must have been a truly deluxe manuscript choir book - perhaps made for a Royal Chapel - by a Parisian artist. Christ is shown as the central full-length figure, holding a golden orb surmounted with a golden cross, and with golden rays emanating toward heaven from his head. To Christ's left is St. Paul holding a book and his attribute a sword.  St. Peter is to Christ's right, holding his attribute, a key. In the background are ten of the apostles (Judas being absent).