[ENLUMINATION]. [CHOIR BOOK]. - Lot 2

[ENLUMINATION]. [CHOIR BOOK]. Set of 5 ornate initials from a choir book. Square notated music on staves drawn with drypoint and a line in red. Tempera and ink on parchment. France (?), late 12th century (?) Initial D, dimensions: 97 x 105 mm; Initial Q, dimensions: 108 x 110 mm; Initial E, dimensions: 75 x 85 mm; Initial I, dimensions: 70 x 154 mm; Initial H, dimensions: 105 x 142 mm Good condition, some traces of glue on the back. These initials come from a choir book (antiphonary most likely) which betrays a minimalist Cistercian aesthetic but with a decoration with a blue pen which is quite abundant and sublimates the monochrome red initials with a sober decoration. The decoration recalls certain manuscripts painted for the abbey of Pontigny (Yonne), see for example the initials of a manuscript of Bede the Venerable (circa 1164-1166) (Auxerre, BM, MS 14).