![GRADUAL, use of the Dominicans, in Latin, ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT ON VELLUM, [north-eastern France or Flanders, second half 13th century].](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2014/CKS/2014_CKS_01584_0004_001(gradual_use_of_the_dominicans_in_latin_illuminated_manuscript_on_vellu012053).jpg?w=1)
![GRADUAL, use of the Dominicans, in Latin, ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT ON VELLUM, [north-eastern France or Flanders, second half 13th century].](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2014/CKS/2014_CKS_01584_0004_002(gradual_use_of_the_dominicans_in_latin_illuminated_manuscript_on_vellu012117).jpg?w=1)
![GRADUAL, use of the Dominicans, in Latin, ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT ON VELLUM, [north-eastern France or Flanders, second half 13th century].](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2014/CKS/2014_CKS_01584_0004_003(gradual_use_of_the_dominicans_in_latin_illuminated_manuscript_on_vellu012142).jpg?w=1)
![GRADUAL, use of the Dominicans, in Latin, ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT ON VELLUM, [north-eastern France or Flanders, second half 13th century].](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2014/CKS/2014_CKS_01584_0004_000(gradual_use_of_the_dominicans_in_latin_illuminated_manuscript_on_vellu113745).jpg?w=1)
Details
GRADUAL, use of the Dominicans, in Latin, ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT ON VELLUM, [north-eastern France or Flanders, second half 13th century].
345 x 250mm. i (vellum) + 175 + i (vellum) leaves, foliation in ink 1-173 followed here, jumping first leaf and repeating f.141, ruled space: 247 x 157mm. TEN LARGE ILLUMINATED INITIALS, flourished penwork initials throughout (lower margin of f.118 cropped, marginal staining and occasional repairs, ending in the Common of Confessors and lacking at least 5 leaves). Modern vellum gilt.
PROVENANCE:
(1) The feast days (for example the translation of Dominic, in 1233, f.136v) and the saints in the litany suggest that the Gradual was produced for a Dominican house, while the script and style of illumination would place it in north-eastern France or perhaps Flanders. Thomas Aquinas has been added in the litany in a 14th-century hand (f.76v). (2) Other saints, added in the litany in a 17th-century, possibly Italian, hand, indicate the likelihood that the Gradual travelled to Italy – among these are St Antoninus of Florence (1389-1459) and St Catherine of Siena (1347-1380). (3) ALLAN HEYWOOD BRIGHT: his 1912 bookplate.
CONTENT:
Gradual with the sung elements of the mass ff.i-173v: Gloria Patri and Asperges ff. i-2v, Temporal, from Advent, ending with the dedication of a church, ff.2v-122v; Sanctoral, from St Andrew to St Catherine, ff.122v-151; Communal ff.151-173v, ending with the Common of a Confessor.
A HANDSOME ILLUMINATED DOMINICAN GRADUAL. The initials, with their diapered backgrounds, intricate vinework infills and bright palette of greens, blues, reds and pinks are typical features of late 13th-century north-eastern French illumination.
345 x 250mm. i (vellum) + 175 + i (vellum) leaves, foliation in ink 1-173 followed here, jumping first leaf and repeating f.141, ruled space: 247 x 157mm. TEN LARGE ILLUMINATED INITIALS, flourished penwork initials throughout (lower margin of f.118 cropped, marginal staining and occasional repairs, ending in the Common of Confessors and lacking at least 5 leaves). Modern vellum gilt.
PROVENANCE:
(1) The feast days (for example the translation of Dominic, in 1233, f.136v) and the saints in the litany suggest that the Gradual was produced for a Dominican house, while the script and style of illumination would place it in north-eastern France or perhaps Flanders. Thomas Aquinas has been added in the litany in a 14th-century hand (f.76v). (2) Other saints, added in the litany in a 17th-century, possibly Italian, hand, indicate the likelihood that the Gradual travelled to Italy – among these are St Antoninus of Florence (1389-1459) and St Catherine of Siena (1347-1380). (3) ALLAN HEYWOOD BRIGHT: his 1912 bookplate.
CONTENT:
Gradual with the sung elements of the mass ff.i-173v: Gloria Patri and Asperges ff. i-2v, Temporal, from Advent, ending with the dedication of a church, ff.2v-122v; Sanctoral, from St Andrew to St Catherine, ff.122v-151; Communal ff.151-173v, ending with the Common of a Confessor.
A HANDSOME ILLUMINATED DOMINICAN GRADUAL. The initials, with their diapered backgrounds, intricate vinework infills and bright palette of greens, blues, reds and pinks are typical features of late 13th-century north-eastern French illumination.
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Eugenio Donadoni