Antiphonal. Leaf on parchment with historiated illuminated initial of prophet with a skull. Italy C15th de [Antiphonal] Illuminated initial - 1480

Antiphonal. Leaf on parchment with historiated illuminated initial. Italy C15th 360mm × 260mm 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 'O' [Omnipotens] on a background of gold leaf within which a prophet or saint is holding a skull with foliage spraying into the left hand margin. 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. Text: from prayers at the Lent Mass Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, in cuius manu sunt hominum corda et iura populorum, respice benignus ad eos, qui nos in potestate moderantur, Almighty ever-living God, in whose hand lies every human heart and the rights of peoples, look with favor, we pray, on those who govern with authority over us, that throughout the whole world, the prosperity of peoples, the assurance of peace, and freedom of religion may through your gift be made secure. Through Christ our Lord.