Beschreibung:

The Presentation of Christ in the Temple, a large historiated initial from an Antiphonary, illuminated manuscript on vellum [Spain, early sixteenth century (after 1511)] cutting, 140mm. by 135mm., with a large initial ‘S’ (opening "Suscepimus deus misericordiam tuam in medio temple tui …", the introit to the Mass for the feast of the Purification), formed of green staves in a classical design in red, blue and gold, enclosing the Virgin Mary handing the naked baby to the priest Simeon, assisted by the elderly prophetess Anna close to his side in the centre, with Joseph depicted behind Mary holding a small cage with two doves for the ritual sacrifice, reverse with script and music on two 4-line red staves, rastrum 39mm., some small smudges to the initial, the whole cutting darkened, the reverse with remains of previous mounting