Antiques for Sale > Books, Manuscripts & Autographs

IM-10685: (230 x 170mm) Original leaf from a medieval manuscript Missal. 21 lines of Latin text, written in rotunda script in black and red on animal parchment. One three-line illuminated initial in blue & white with interior floral design in red & blue on a burnished gold ground; three two-line illuminated initials in burnished gold on a red & blue ground with delicate white penwork. The text & miniature are surrounded by an elaborate floral border in blue, red, green, liquid & burnished gold with a blank escutcheon in the center lower margin.  France (probably Rouen), c. 1460.

The miniature painting (75x50mm) depicts the Resurrection. The risen Christ wears a red cloth & holds a staff with golden cross, as he walks away from the sepulcher.  An angel wearing white & having golden wings is seen above, & three soldiers are in the background.

Text is for Easter Sunday. The illuminated ''R'' begins:  ''Resurrexi...'' (I arose, & am still with Thee, alleluia: Thou hast laid Thine hand upon me, alleluia: Thy knowledge is become wonderful, alleluia, alleluia. Lord, Thou hast searched me, & known Me: Thou knowest my sitting down & my rising up).  The illuminated ''D'' begins:  '' Deus...'' (O God, who on this day through Thine only-begotten Son hast overcome death & opened unto us the gate of everlasting life; do Thou follow with Thine aid the desires which Thou dost put into our minds & by Thy continual help bring the same to good effect). The illuminated ''F'' begins I Corinthians 5:7-8: ''Fratres...'' (Brethren, purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new paste, as you are unleavened: for Christ our Pasch is sacrificed. Therefore let us feast, not with the old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth).