Search Results: Illuminations from Butler Rare Books

360mm × 260mm Full single leaf written on parchment in black and red ink, 15 lines on both sides of the leaf in late Romanesque rounded hand. A beautiful illuminated historiated initial blue 'D' [Deus] on a background of gold leaf within which an angel is painted with foliage spraying into the left hand margin. The illumination appears to be later, maybe C16th, but, if so, has been painted in style and in the space left for the original O illumination. Some old stains. An attractive leaf. Text: is from the Gloria at Easter Vigil Deus, qui hanc sacratissimam noctem gloria Dominicae Resurrectionis illustras, excita in Ecclesia tua adoptionis spiritum, ut, corpore et mente renovati, puram tibi exhibeamus servitutem. Jesus Christus Filius tuus Dominus noster: Qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus: per omnia saecula saeculorum. O God, who make this most sacred night radiant with the glory of the Lord's Resurrection, stir up in your Church a spirit of adoption, so that, renewed in body… Read More

Antiphonal. Leaf on parchment with historiated illuminated initial. Italy C15th Full single leaf written on parchment in black and red ink, 15 lines on both sides of the leaf in late Romanesque rounded hand. A beautiful illuminated historiated initial blue 'D' on a background of gold leaf within which the Virgin Mary facing with closed eyes and hands together, praying with painted foliage spraying into the left hand margin. The illumination appears to be later, maybe C16th but, if so, has been painted in style and in the space left for the original D illumination. Some old stains. An attractive leaf. 360mm × 260mm The text is Latin Deus in te sperantium fortitude, invocationibus nostris adesto… which translates O God, the strength of all them who put their trust in thee, mercifully accept our prayers; and because though the weakness of our mortal nature we can do no good thing without thee,….

Antiphonal. Leaf on parchment with historiated illuminated initial. Italy C15th 360mm × 260mm Full single leaf written on parchment in black and red ink, 15 lines on both sides of the leaf in late Romanesque rounded hand. A beautiful illuminated historiated initial blue 'O' [omnipotens] on a background of gold leaf within which Christ shown carrying a flag is with painted with foliage spraying into the left hand margin. The illumination appears to be later, maybe C16th but, if so, has been painted in style and in the space left for the original O illumination. Some old stains. An attractive leaf. Text: Oremus omnipotens sempiterne deus dirige actus nostros in beneplacito tuo ut in nomine dilecti filii tui mercamus… We pray, almighty and eternal God, direct our actions in your good pleasure, that we may buy in the name of your beloved son…

Antiphonal. Leaf on parchment with historiated illuminated initial. Italy C15th 360mm × 260mm Full single leaf written on parchment in black and red ink, 15 lines on both sides of the leaf in late Romanesque rounded hand. A beautiful illuminated historiated initial blue 'O' [Omnipotens] on a background of gold leaf within which a prophet or saint is holding a skull with foliage spraying into the left hand margin. The illumination appears to be later, maybe C16th but, if so, has been painted in style and in the space left for the original O illumination. Some old stains. An attractive leaf. Text: from prayers at the Lent Mass Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, in cuius manu sunt hominum corda et iura populorum, respice benignus ad eos, qui nos in potestate moderantur, Almighty ever-living God, in whose hand lies every human heart and the rights of peoples, look with favor, we pray, on those who govern with authority over us, that throughout the whole world, the prosperity of peoples, the assurance of peace,… Read More

Antiphonal. Leaf on parchment with historiated illuminated initial. Italy C15th Leaf size: 360mm × 260mm Frame size: 480mm x 365mm Full single leaf written on parchment in black and red ink, 15 lines on both sides of the leaf in late Romanesque rounded hand. A beautiful illuminated historiated initial blue 'H' on a background of gold leaf within which a Cherub is facing left with foliage spraying into the left hand margin. Framed and mounted in museum glass. The illumination appears to be later, maybe C16th but, if so, has been painted in style and in the space left for the original O illumination. Some old stains. An attractive leaf. The text is a post communion prayer in Latin to celebrate the conception of Mary: domine sacrificii suanitatis presta ut qui hodie marie conceptionem iubilando celebrat O Lord offer the sacrifice of wisdom as he who today celebrates Mary s conception by rejoicing etc

A cutting, c.160×160mm, of an illuminated initial 'N', doubtless the introit for the Mass on the feast-day of Sts Peter and Paul (29 June), probably 'Nunc scio vere quia misit dominus angelum suum …': the reverse preserving its continuation: "[… de omni exspectation]e plebis [judaeorum] V(ersus). Et [...]", with music in square notation on four-line red staves, the versicle with an enlarged red initial 'E' filled with, and surrounded by, ornament in blue; both saints shown half-length, Paul holding a sword (the instrument of his martyrdom) and Peter holding keys (to heaven) and a book in a red blind-tooled binding with two clasps. Condition: Some decoration is cropped at the extremities; a little gold has flaked from the field surrounding the initial and some rubbing of the initial letter to the right; silver (notably Paul's sword) has darkened due to oxidation; the main scene is generally in fine condition. In a giltwood frame, c.30×30cm.The palette, whose dominant colours are an emerald green,… Read More