![ST DOMINIC, initial 'I' cut from an ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT CHOIRBOOK ON VELLUM, [Florence, c.1490]. 400 x 150mm overall, irregularly cut at right edge (slight surface abrasions). St Dominic, shown within a roundel on the initial, suggests it was once in a choirbook made for a Dominican church. The Evangelist's eagle in the roundel above the initial may indicate that the chant opened with the beginning of the Gospel of John, 'In principio'.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2013/CSK/2013_CSK_08952_0007_000(st_dominic_initial_i_cut_from_an_illuminated_manuscript_choirbook_on_v062425).jpg?w=1)
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ST DOMINIC, initial 'I' cut from an ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT CHOIRBOOK ON VELLUM, [Florence, c.1490]. 400 x 150mm overall, irregularly cut at right edge (slight surface abrasions). St Dominic, shown within a roundel on the initial, suggests it was once in a choirbook made for a Dominican church. The Evangelist's eagle in the roundel above the initial may indicate that the chant opened with the beginning of the Gospel of John, 'In principio'.
This is a handsome and highly decorative initial characteristic of Florentine illumination of the latter part of the 15th century. The use of golden sprays and white flowers to decorate dark grounds is closely comparable to that found in manuscripts from the workshop of Giovanni di Giuliano Boccardi (1460-1529), known as Boccardino il Vecchio.
This is a handsome and highly decorative initial characteristic of Florentine illumination of the latter part of the 15th century. The use of golden sprays and white flowers to decorate dark grounds is closely comparable to that found in manuscripts from the workshop of Giovanni di Giuliano Boccardi (1460-1529), known as Boccardino il Vecchio.
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