Gradual leaf, Italy, late 15th century

GRADUAL LEAF WITH DECORATED INITIAL. Gradual with decorated initial, Italy, probably Florence or Siena, late 15th century. Manuscript on vellum, in Latin, four staves ruled in red, musical notation in black.

With large decorated initial "O" in gold, pink, green blue and yellow with marginal flowers, one smaller initial in blue and red, on verso two smaller initials in blue and red. Size of leaf including margins c. 510 x 350 mm., size of initial c. 130 x 120 mm. (with frame 740 x 575 mm.). Framed in blue passepartout, double glazed.

Other single leaves of this fascinating manuscript have emerged in recent years in Sotheby´s, 2 December 2014, lot 21, and Bloomsbury Auctions, 8 July 2015, lot 81 and 9 December 2015, lot 85.