Original leaf from a medieval manuscript pocket Bible (Biblia Latina). Written in Latin in elegant minute gothic book-hand script, in black ink on animal vellum.
Size: 192 x 138mm – 7.5 x 5.5 inches
Rubricated chapter numbers, initials and marginalia in red and blue. 50 lines of text (recto) and 49 lines (verso) in double columns (9 lines per inch!). Guide letters still evident for the Q and P and chapter initials in extreme edge of margin!
France, probably Paris, c. 1250.
Illuminated with two very elaborate initials in gold and colors, and three initials in color with penwork extensions. The six-line illuminated initial “E” is in pink & white with an internal design of blue, orange, and yellow on a burnished gold ground; the four-line illuminated initial “L” is in blue and white with a wonderful internal lion-like creature in pink, orange and white on a burnished gold ground and extending into the margin for 24 lines; three multi-line initials alternating in red with elaborate blue and red penwork extending along the margins.
Line two concludes Lamentations 3:46 – 5:22: “Aperverunt…” (All our enemies have opened their mouths against us. Prophecy is become to us as a fear…).
The four-line illuminated “L” opens the Prologue to Baruch. The six-line illuminated “E” begins Baruch 1:1 – 2:2: “Et hec verba libri…” (And these are the words of the book, which Baruch the son of Nerias, the son of Maasias, the son of Sedecias, the son of Sedei, the son of Helcias, wrote in Babylonia…).
A very attactive mid-13th century leaf, larger and more illuminated than usual, and in excelllent antiquarian condition.
Shipped unmatted
