Sotheby's - Fifty Magnificent Illuminated Manuscripts 3 December 2002 London

Sotheby's - Fifty Magnificent Illuminated Manuscripts 3 December 2002 London

Auction catalogue in very good condition.  Water stain on top page edges.  Twisted spine.

Weight      1225g.  

Step into the rarefied world of medieval manuscripts at Sotheby's Fifty Magnificent Illuminated Manuscripts auction on 3 December 2002 in London. The sale features a remarkable selection of 50 superb illuminated works spanning over 1000 years of history, artistry and craftsmanship.

Highlights include some of the finest examples of Flemish, French and English illuminated manuscripts from the 12th through 15th centuries. Major works include the Aberdeen Bestiary, a rare 13th century copy of the popular secular encyclopedia; an extensive Book of Hours made for the Duke of Bedford in the early 15th century; and a 15th century French Bible Moralisée, decorated with lavish historiated initials and marginalia.

The sale also offers more intimate objects like psalters and prayer books created for private devotion, illuminated with jewel-toned colors and exquisite details. Precious metals, gemstones and semiprecious stones were often used to ornament these sacred texts, transforming them into veritable works of art.

All proceeds from this auction will benefit the relevant beneficiaries of Sotheby's charitable trust. Bidding will commence at exceptionally conservative estimates, offering connoisseurs and collectors a unique opportunity to acquire illuminated manuscripts of the highest quality and enduring aesthetic value.

The craftsmanship and devotion evident in these medieval treasures continue to inspire wonder hundreds of years later. This once-in-a-lifetime auction presents a chance to acquire a piece of history - complete with a story waiting to be illuminated anew for each reader through time.