Exceptional 15th C. Book of Hours Miniature

Description

Exceptional 15th C. Book of Hours Miniature From either Bruges or School of Paris, cut from a vellum page, likely taken from a Book of Hours of circa 1480.A particularly fine and complete example of the visit of the Magi to the stable in Bethlehem following the Nativity of Jesus, the three kings, Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar, and their arrival from the East bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh for the infant Christ, as associated with Epiphany in the Western Church. This superb miniature painting is in excellent condition, trimmed to the oval of its fine, circa I8IO, ebony lacquered boxwood frame. The pair of cattle and eight main figures are complimented by distant church and castle towers as well as part of the mounted Roman army at far right distance. The whole complete and all original, tempra on sheepskin vellum with highlights of gold. Sight size is 4.5" x 3.5", overall, 6.75" x 5.5"