Antiphonal. Leaf on parchment with historiated illuminated initial of Cherub. Italy C15th by [Antiphonal] Cherub illuminated painting - 1480

Antiphonal. Leaf on parchment with historiated illuminated initial. Italy C15th Leaf size: 360mm × 260mm Frame size: 480mm x 365mm Full single leaf written on parchment in black and red ink, 15 lines on both sides of the leaf in late Romanesque rounded hand. A beautiful illuminated historiated initial blue 'H' on a background of gold leaf within which a Cherub is facing left with foliage spraying into the left hand margin. Framed and mounted in museum glass. The illumination appears to be later, maybe C16th but, if so, has been painted in style and in the space left for the original O illumination. Some old stains. An attractive leaf. The text is a post communion prayer in Latin to celebrate the conception of Mary: domine sacrificii suanitatis presta ut qui hodie marie conceptionem iubilando celebrat O Lord offer the sacrifice of wisdom as he who today celebrates Mary s conception by rejoicing etc