Illuminated Manuscript Leaf from and Antiphonal with Miniature of King David; Psalms 110, 111

Italy: np, 1525. first edition. vellum; framed. Very Good. ILLUMINATED ANTIPHONAL LEAF WITH EXCEPTIONALLY LARGE HISTORIATED INITIAL OF KING DAVID AS PSALMIST. The recto features a stunning, large (6 1/4 x 7 in.) initial “T” featuring a miniature of David the Psalmist, captured mid-song with instrument in hand as an angel unfurls the opening of the Psalm 110 (Dixit Dominus)—a classic image of divine inspiration rendered with rich pigments and a thickly burnished gold initial “T”.

The “T” frames and divides the image, with King David and the angel occupying the right half. The Psalm’s beginning (“DIXIT DOMINUS”) is displayed on the angel’s banner, emphasizing the divine inspiration for the Psalm. David is pictured with elegant flowing blue robes and, while he’s playing a stringed instrument, there is another harp lying beneath his feet.

The left side of the “T” (for the opening “Tecum principium”) depicts a finely painted landscape, with a winding road, a bridge, and a town in the distance.

The verso continues Psalm 110, but then transitions – with a large red-and-organge painted “R” into a section of Psalm 111 (Redemptionem misit Dominus populo suo…).

Leaf size: 13x19.25 inches; archival framed to an overall size of 19x26 in.) Likely Italian, c.1550-1550. Vellum. Some mild toning and creasing to vellum. Some lines of cracking to color on miniature from the creasing. Small closed tear at top margin. Overall, the color (particularly the gilt) is exceptionally bright. A magnificent leaf.