Cutting from a choir book(?). Initial A in green and pink Renaissance acanthus folage style with folage decoration including a satyr mask extending into the margin on a burnished gold ground, Northern Italy (Verona), early 16th century. A duplicate number MS.1030 was assigned to this object in error and was subsequently cancelled.

Probably part of a larger group that belonged to a Franciscan convent's antiphonary.
Part of a group of 11 cuttings which came to the museum in 1866 from T. & W. Boone, London.

Cuttings from the same manuscript in the V&A collection: Museum nos 4916, 4917, 4918:1, 4919, 4920, 4921:1, 4922, 4923, 4924, 4926, 4927.

Cuttings from the same manuscript in other collections: New York, Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1975.1.2483; Berlin, Staatliche Museen, Berliner Kupferstichkabinett, inv. 629; Sotheby's, London, 19 June 1990, lot 35.

Data taken from notes compiled by Rowan Watson. The full text of the entry is as follows:

'335.2
4917 (MS 1030)
[CHOIR BOOK?]
Cut-out decorated initial A (Renaissance acanthus foliage) , with foliage decoration including a satyr mask extending into the margin. possibly from the same MS ad 4916

Italy. c. 1490

From an album containing 4916-4928 bought for £15 from J & W Boone, 1866
Pub: 1908 cat, [-]; [Print Room copy of 1923 cat, facing p. 83]'

4917