Original leaf from a medieval manuscript pocket Bible, written in Italy (probably Bologna), c. 1250. Latin rotunda gothic script, ruled in red & written in brown ink in two columns of 50 lines on animal vellum. The leaf measures 197x130mm – 7 ¾ x 5 1/8’’ Included with the leaf is an original authenticated Biblical coin known as a Widow's Mite.
Rubricated chapter numbers, two multi-lined illuminated Lombard style initials and elegant marginalia in red and blue. The gothic text is written in extremely tiny & very well formed letters – so small that there are ten lines of text to the inch!
This leaf contains important text including the story of the Widow's Mite. Luke 18:31 - 21:8: “Ecce ascendimus…” (Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things shall be accomplished which were written by the prophets concerning the Son of man...Blessed be the king who cometh in the name of the Lord, peace in heaven, and glory on high...My house is the house of prayer. But you have made it a den of thieves...Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's: and to God the things that are God's...And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in two brass mites. Verily I say to you, that this poor widow hath cast into the offerings of God: but she of her want, hath cast in all the living that she had...).
Provenance: Ex-collection Otto Ege (1888-1951). Dean of Cleveland Institute of Art & Lecturer on History of the Book at Western Reserve University & Northwestern University. Ege increased awareness of the history of the book through the dissemination of individual pages to schools, libraries, calligraphers and printers. Sister leaves are # 11 in the Portfolio of Fifty Original Leaves (Gwara HL11) - see Cary Collection - Rochester Institute (online example) and other museums.
An attractive and historical medieval Bible leaf in nice condition. Two images show the Widow's Mite coin and folder included with purchase of this leaf.
Bible leaf presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat
