"[Illuminated Leaf]", Anon.
Subject: Medieval Manuscripts
Period: 1250 (circa)
Publication:
Color: Hand Color
Size:
3.5 x 5.5 inches
8.9 x 14 cm
This is a near perfect vellum leaf from a tiny Bible. Written over 750 years ago, probably in Paris, which was the production center for pocket-sized Bibles in the Middle Ages. The thin vellum, known as uterine, is characteristic of Bibles from the 13th century. It was necessary in order to fit the whole Bible into a single portable book. The microscopic writing is in two columns, the convention still used for modern Bibles. This leaf is from the Book Ecclesiasticus, chapters III and IV. The capital letters at the beginning of each chapter are embellished with fine penwork in red and blue.
References:
Condition: A+
