La Bibbia di Borso d’Este

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    Facsimile Edition.

    42cm x 32cm. [1300] pages, 2 volumes. Red leather, gilt lettering and emblem, velvet slipcases.

    The Bible of Borso d’Este is a two volume manuscript of illuminated miniatures executed between 1455 and 1461 by a team of artists directed by Taddeo Crivelli and Franco dei Russi. In 1923, the businessman Giovanni Treccani acquired in Paris, for the enormous sum of 5 million lire, the Borso d’Este Bible, that was due to be sold in America, and donated it to the Kingdom of Italy. On his initiative, various other copies have been created. The original miniatures are held in the Biblioteca Estense di Modena. Every page of the Bible is decorated with an elegant frame of scrolls and other ornaments, surrounding two columns of texts. The margins contain various scenes, especially in the lower parts, where one often finds scenes drawn in perspective, borrowing from advances in painting of the time. Scenes are also depicted between the columns of text, usually next to the capital or illuminated letters. In the volutes in the corners, there are often animals, depicted with lively imagination that is part of the courtly style of the time, and often tied to heraldic symbols of Borso and his family. Borso d’Este (1413-1471) was Duke of Ferrara, and the first Duke of Modena, which he ruled from 1450 until his death. He was a member of the House of Este. This high quality reproduction is bound in full-leather with a silver ornate emblem applied to the front of each volume and housed in velvet slipcases. The approximately 1,300 page manuscript is reproduced primarily in black and white with 12 sheets reproduced in colour and gold. The introductory text is in Italian.

    A few small light marks to the spines. Very light wear to the edges. Minor wear to slipcase edges. Near Fine Condition.

    SOLD