BEAUTIFUL ILLUMINATED MINIATURE OF THE HOLY TRINITY FROM A FRENCH BOOK OF HOURS, CIRCA 1475

(ILLUMINATED LEAF). Illuminated miniature from a Book of Hours. France, circa 1475. One vellum leaf, measuring 6 by 8-1/2 inches; handsomely window matted and framed, entire piece measures 12 by 14-1/2 inches. $9500.

A beautiful illuminated leaf from a French Book of Hours, circa 1475, with a wonderful miniature depicting the Holy Trinity, with the Father and the Son seated on a canopied throne and the Holy Spirit, in the traditional form of a dove, between them.

The beautiful and large miniature on the recto of this leaf has an iconographically classic depiction of the Holy Trinity, with God and the Son seated on a throne, with God's hand raised in benediction, a large book supported in both their laps. The dove of the Holy Spirit hovers above the book. The whole is enclosed in a richly gilt three-sided frame, beyond which are borders filled with delicate hairline tendrils filled with leaves and fruit and blue and red acanthus leaves. Directly beneath the image are four lines of text beginning with "Domine, labia mea aperies"—"Thou O Lord wilt open my lips"—featuring a highly elaborate four-line initial "D" in blue and red on a field of gold. The verso displays 15 lines of script in a gothic hand enclosed in a similar border, with two two-line illuminated initials and three one-one illuminated initials.

Only very minor wrinkling and soiling to leaf, colors still bright and vivid. Beautifully framed.