Part of a single leaf from a Gradual, in Latin. Italy (perhaps Lombardy), fifteenth century. Reed MSF25.
The stout representation of foliage in the floral border, and the vivid colours of the large illuminated G mark this fragment as distinctly Italian in style. It contains an elaborate foliate design with green and red leafy extensions on a burnished gold surround, infilled with red and yellow turning branches on a blue ground heightened with white tracery, supporting a broad lush partial border of leaves and flowers in green, blue, red, pink yellow and burnished gold.
The text is from the end of Mass for Saints Simon and Jude, and the opening initial for the Introit for All Saints Day (1 November). Music is on a 4-line red stave.
Part of a single leaf from a Gradual, in Latin. Italy (perhaps Lombardy), fifteenth century. Reed MSF25.
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