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. (197x130mm)
Rubricated chapter numbers, three 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 begins I Corinthians 9:25 – 13:4: “Omnis...” (And every one that striveth for mastery, refraineth himself from all things...God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that which you are able...You cannot drink the chalice of the Lord, and the chalice of devils...If I speak with the tongues of men, and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And if I should have prophecy and should know all mysteries, and all knowledge, and if I should have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And if I should distribute all my goods to feed the poor, and if I should deliver my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity is patient, is kind).
Provenance: ex-collection Otto F. Ege - Dean of the Cleveland Institute of Art & Lecturer on History of the Book in the School of Library Science, Western Reserve University. Sister leaves to this one are # 11 in the Ege Portfolio of Fifty Original Leaves (Reference: Gwara Hand List11). For other sister leaves see Cary Collection - Rochester Institute (online example) and other museums.
Shipped unmatted
