1250-1275 AD. A finely illuminated folio from an early medieval portable bible, hand-written by monks in Paris at the time of the later crusades; executed on both sides with two columns of 43 lines in early Gothic font, with spring plant initials in red and blue and decorative vines and spring work with highlights in red. 1.53 grams, 16.4 x 12.8cm (6 1/2 x 5"). From the property of a London gentleman; formerly in a UK collection, acquired in the 1990s. This leaf comes probably from a Bible of the so-called DU PRAT Atelier (as defined by Branner, Manuscript painting in Paris, 1977"). The text and decoration show that this was one of the numerous Bibles produced in Paris from about 1230 to a newly standardised format, made easy to use by the introduction of chapter numbers and running headings.