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Illuminated Manuscripts

Illuminated manuscripts are some of the most fascinating works in the world for book collectors and scholars. These books combine text and art in a way that is revealing, aesthetically pleasing, and even shocking. Created mostly between the 12th and 14th centuries, illuminated manuscripts were created by monastic scribes who were the keepers of the bulk of art, literature, and knowledge during this period. Later, specialized artisans were commissioned by the wealthy to produce the manuscripts. These luxury items were ornately decorated, painted with gold and silver foils, and richly bound.

One of the most interesting facets of illuminated manuscripts is marginalia, the illustrated notes around the borders of the manuscripts. Not all marginalia is strictly informative or pious, despite the fact that most illuminated texts were religious. Marginalia often contains pictures and commentary featuring anthropomorphic figures, lewd acts, and religious leaders behaving badly. Scholars of marginalia believe these comedic commentaries are satires of society. Marginalia, even if strange, often highlights the contents of the text, or simply indicates artists from a repressed hierarchy letting off steam.

Illuminated manuscripts possess historical, aesthetic, literary, and comedic value and are very valuable on the market. As they were not mass produced, they are also very rare and highly sought after. Often, illuminated manuscripts are not owned by individual collectors, but rather displayed in museums and government or university libraries.


Quick Facts

  • "Selected Fables" by J. De La Fontaine sold for $149,211 at a 2015 Sotheby's auction
  • "The Great Hours of Galeazzo Maria Sforza," an Italian illuminated manuscript, realized a price of $1,950,035 at a 2011 Christie’s auction
  • "The Rothchild Prayerbook," an illuminated Middle Ages manuscript considered a masterpiece of Renaissance art sold for $13,605,000 at a 2014 Christie's auction

Recommended Items at Auction

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TORAH SCROLL FRAGMENT MANUSCRIPT VELLUM ANTIQUE BIBLE LEVITICUS 8:17-11:22
Feb 15, 12:00 PM EST
TORAH SCROLL FRAGMENT MANUSCRIPT VELLUM ANTIQUE BIBLE LEVITICUS 8:17-11:22
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EARLY 20TH C JUDAICA ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT PAGES
Feb 15, 10:00 AM EST
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Est: $100- $150
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Mar 20, 11:00 AM EDT
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James H Marrow , Ca. 1994, 'The Hours of Simon De Varie', (Illuminated Manuscripts)
Feb 14, 11:00 AM EST
James H Marrow , Ca. 1994, 'The Hours of Simon De Varie', (Illuminated Manuscripts)
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Est: $25- $50
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Indo-Persian School, Watercolour, An illuminated m…
Feb 24, 9:00 AM GMT
Indo-Persian School, Watercolour, An illuminated m…
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Est: £50- £80
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4 book pages. PERSIA 19th century/20th century,
Feb 22, 10:00 AM CET
4 book pages. PERSIA 19th century/20th century,
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Est: €15- €100
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2 Medieval Illuminated Manuscripts
Mar 11, 10:00 AM EDT
2 Medieval Illuminated Manuscripts
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A 1914 hand illuminated address / dedication to Mr…
Feb 23, 9:00 AM GMT
A 1914 hand illuminated address / dedication to Mr…
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Est: £80- £120
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Initial S,
Feb 14, 1:30 PM CET
Initial S,
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Est: €500- €800
€5000 Bids
Antiphon page, 16th century, folio from a latemedieval
Feb 22, 11:00 AM CET
Antiphon page, 16th century, folio from a latemedieval
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Est: €200- €350
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In Christi Nomine Amen (1779)
Feb 14, 3:00 PM CET
In Christi Nomine Amen (1779)
by Pananti Casa D'Aste SRL
Est: €300- €500
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Islamic School Manuscript
Mar 01, 10:00 AM EST
Islamic School Manuscript
by Copake Auction Inc.
Est: $75- $100
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17th CENTURY MANUSCRIPT KORAN ISLAMIC antique ILLUMINATED QURAN in ARABIC
Feb 15, 12:00 PM EST
17th CENTURY MANUSCRIPT KORAN ISLAMIC antique ILLUMINATED QURAN in ARABIC
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1550 ENGRAVING ILLUMINATED LEAF from CZECH BIBLE ANTIQUE PAGE CXI
Mar 15, 12:00 PM EDT
1550 ENGRAVING ILLUMINATED LEAF from CZECH BIBLE ANTIQUE PAGE CXI
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19th CENTURY MANUSCRIPT KORAN ISLAMIC antique ILLUMINATED QURAN
Mar 15, 12:00 PM EDT
19th CENTURY MANUSCRIPT KORAN ISLAMIC antique ILLUMINATED QURAN
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Est: $1,698- $1,998
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1550 ENGRAVING ILLUMINATED LEAF from CZECH BIBLE ANTIQUE PAGE IIII
Mar 15, 12:00 PM EDT
1550 ENGRAVING ILLUMINATED LEAF from CZECH BIBLE ANTIQUE PAGE IIII
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Ottoman Ottoman Large Format Illuminated 'The Spider' Quran Manuscript Page
Mar 06, 12:00 PM GMT
Ottoman Ottoman Large Format Illuminated 'The Spider' Quran Manuscript Page
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Est: £150- £200
£800 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Illuminated Manuscripts


Il Ponte Auction House

Il Ponte Auction House

Claydon Auctioneers

Claydon Auctioneers

Eldred's

Eldred's