![KOBERGER BIBLE, an illuminated leaf from a printed Bible [Strasbourg: Adolf Rusch, for Anton Koberger at Nuremberg, not after 1480]](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2018/CKS/2018_CKS_16018_0026_000(koberger_bible_an_illuminated_leaf_from_a_printed_bible_strasbourg_ado094241).jpg?w=1)
KOBERGER BIBLE, an illuminated leaf from a printed Bible [Strasbourg: Adolf Rusch, for Anton Koberger at Nuremberg, not after 1480]
Details
KOBERGER BIBLE, an illuminated leaf from a printed Bible [Strasbourg: Adolf Rusch, for Anton Koberger at Nuremberg, not after 1480]
This imposing leaf comes from Anton Koberger's Biblia Latina, the earliest printing of a Bible with the glossa ordinaria, printed by Anton Rusch in Strasbourg. It was one of the most ambitious printing projects undertaken in the 15th century. The present leaf bears the arms of Guelders and the House of Wittelsbach-Palatinate.
467 x 330mm, opening the Prologue to the Book of Proverbs. The paper has the watermark of Rusch for Koberger, Strasbourg. Verso with two biblical columns surrounded by gloss and Bible text opening with red and blue puzzle initial (light smudge to top right corner, a little spotting and staining). Framed. Provenance: The coat of arms at the foot of the page contains the arms of Guelders on the sinister, and the Palatine Lion and the fusely argent and azure arms of the Wittelsbach family on the dexter. The parent volume was evidently intended for an important, aristocratic owner: was it perhaps owned by Margaret of Guelders (1436-1486), who in 1454 married Frederick I, Count Palatine of Simmern?
First edition of the Latin Bible with the glossa ordinaria, the standard Bible commentary of the later eleventh and early twelfth century, composed by Anselm of Laon, Ralph of Laon and Gilbert of Auxerre. The layout preserves the traditional manuscript format, distinguishing the Biblical text from the glossa ordinaria surrounding it, and from the interlinear gloss, which usually consists of definitions or paraphrases of specific words. The scrolling acanthus of yellows, reds, blues and greens is richly populated with wild-men, a peacock and an owl, and is a typical vibrant example of the highest-quality southern German illumination.
This imposing leaf comes from Anton Koberger's Biblia Latina, the earliest printing of a Bible with the glossa ordinaria, printed by Anton Rusch in Strasbourg. It was one of the most ambitious printing projects undertaken in the 15th century. The present leaf bears the arms of Guelders and the House of Wittelsbach-Palatinate.
467 x 330mm, opening the Prologue to the Book of Proverbs. The paper has the watermark of Rusch for Koberger, Strasbourg. Verso with two biblical columns surrounded by gloss and Bible text opening with red and blue puzzle initial (light smudge to top right corner, a little spotting and staining). Framed. Provenance: The coat of arms at the foot of the page contains the arms of Guelders on the sinister, and the Palatine Lion and the fusely argent and azure arms of the Wittelsbach family on the dexter. The parent volume was evidently intended for an important, aristocratic owner: was it perhaps owned by Margaret of Guelders (1436-1486), who in 1454 married Frederick I, Count Palatine of Simmern?
First edition of the Latin Bible with the glossa ordinaria, the standard Bible commentary of the later eleventh and early twelfth century, composed by Anselm of Laon, Ralph of Laon and Gilbert of Auxerre. The layout preserves the traditional manuscript format, distinguishing the Biblical text from the glossa ordinaria surrounding it, and from the interlinear gloss, which usually consists of definitions or paraphrases of specific words. The scrolling acanthus of yellows, reds, blues and greens is richly populated with wild-men, a peacock and an owl, and is a typical vibrant example of the highest-quality southern German illumination.
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