Title: A Male Saint. Historiated Initial of the Letter V, Circa 1320-1350, Likely Northern Italy. Illuminated Manuscript Cutting from a Large Antiphonary
Condition: Very Good
A historiated initial depicting a male saint, cut from a Latin manuscript antiphonary or breviary on vellum, produced in the early to mid 14th century.
The letter is painted in a dark blue background, framed by acanthus tendril leaves, with an illuminated halo to the Saint. The Saint himself is dressed in a mauve toga and light green cloak, with a pearl-studded nimbus made of gold leaf, facing the viewer, his hands in a blessing position.
There are 3 lines of text to the recto and verso, written in a rotunda script, alternating with Roman square notation on a four-line red system
One illuminated manuscript on parchment, 16.5 x 16 cm
This manuscript is in very good shape, with very little rubbing or wear to the parchment, and only trace adhesive marks to the verso where it was likely once pasted lightly to a board or frame. There is a bit of chipping to the main body of the Saint, as well as one of the acanthus leaves.