Antiphonal Leaves de [ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT] - 1550

Italy: np, 1550. Very Good. Two large conjugate antiphonal leaves (bifolium) with later large miniatures of reclining monks. An exquisite rare bifolium with complementary reclining monks (added later) with large (approximately three-inch) floral border along the bottom and sides. With beautiful reds, greens, yellow, browns, and gold (including thick gold halos on the monks). With notes and text in black with red highlights. Also with two large initials, one in blue and gold with a red border, the other red and gold with a blue border. The monks are a full eight inches long; the one on the left reaches (with his hand) 6.25 inches high; the one on the right 4.25 inches. The leaves together are 27 inches wide and 18 inches tall. (Framed = 31.5 x 23 inches). Vellum, likely 16th century Spanish; float-matted in fine ornate frame. Note: The monks were added later, either in the 19th or 20th century. Stitched repair in border of right leaf, a few smudges. A beautiful set of leaves, very handsomely framed.