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a drawing of a page with a bunch of writing on it
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117 - Baroque A magnificent, multicoloured calligraphic decorative…
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Estimate €500 - €700
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Description
Baroque A magnificent, multicoloured calligraphic decorative or dedication page (engagement page) in the tradition of a master scribe’s page, featuring an original drawing. Dedicated in a Rococo cartouche: Lorenz & Wolf, 1773. 2 folio leaves. On the reverse, a collector’s stamp reading ‘Theodor Knorr, Coblenz’ (not listed in Lugt). This sheet is a late Baroque ceremonial calligraphic sheet (chancery or Fraktur calligraphy) from 1773, demonstrating a virtuoso mastery of Fraktur scripts, ornamental pen strokes and religious symbolism. Regarding the script, calligraphy and drawing: The dominant script is a highly developed Fraktur; the fine hairline strokes, sharply broken curves and emphasised verticals are characteristic of the highly developed Fraktur of the 18th century. Alongside the main script, smaller Fraktur and cursive variants appear; the numerous flourishes (paraphen) reflect the Baroque delight in exuberant calligraphic playfulness, which is particularly characteristic of Baroque script. Magnificent and yet delicately framed by plant motifs, the page presents an impressive initial, richly adorned with foliage in a vigorous Fleuronné style. The extremely intricate pen strokes in the centre serve purely as a decorative motif: Baroque calligraphers developed such ‘pen pieces’ to demonstrate technical brilliance and control over the pen stroke. The combination of strictly vertical Fraktur and freely flowing lines creates the typical tension in Baroque calligraphy between order and exuberance. In the top right-hand corner, a medallion depicts two hands holding a heart, flanked by two further hearts with flames: such heart and hand motifs belong to the Pietist tradition of piety and symbolise a covenant of love and devotion to God or between people. Regarding the content: The wording ‘I will betroth myself to you for ever’ is a direct quotation from the Bible, Hosea 2:19 (often Hos 2:21 in modern numbering) in the Lutheran tradition: ‘I will betroth myself to you for ever; I will be faithful to you in righteousness and justice, in grace and mercy.’ – On the second page, in cursive script: ‘to unite with us in words and understanding, to bind our will to yours, and to recognise the intention without error.’ – Smoothed folds and a few crease marks, a small cut at the edge of the border; otherwise a well-preserved and magnificent piece of work. Very rare of this quality. Magnificent multicoloured calligraphic decorative or dedication sheet (engagement sheet) in the tradition of a master calligrapher’s sheet with an original drawing. Dedicated in a Rococo cartouche: Lorenz & Wolf. - This sheet is a late Baroque ceremonial writing sheet (chancellery or Gothic calligraphy) from 1773, which demonstrates virtuoso mastery of broken scripts, ornamental pen strokes and pious symbolism. Regarding the script, calligraphy and drawing: The dominant script is a highly developed Gothic script, featuring fine, hair-like lines, sharply broken arcs and emphasised verticals, characteristic of the highly developed Gothic script of the 18th century. In addition to the main script, there are smaller Gothic and cursive variants, and the numerous flourishes (parapens) are characteristic of the Baroque penchant for extravagant calligraphic flourishes, which are particularly characteristic of Baroque script. Magnificently and delicately framed with plant motifs, the page features an impressive initial richly decorated with foliage in bold fleuronné. The extremely intricate pen strokes in the centre serve as a purely decorative motif: Baroque calligraphers developed such ‘pen pieces’ to demonstrate technical brilliance and control over the pen stroke. The combination of strictly vertical Fraktur and freely sweeping lines creates the typical tension between order and excess found in Baroque calligraphy. In the top right-hand corner, a medallion depicts two hands holding a heart, flanked by two further hearts with flames: such heart and hand motifs belong to the pietistic tradition of devotion and symbolise the covenant of love and devotion to God or between people. Contents: The phrase ‘I will betroth myself to you forever’ is taken directly from the Bible, Hosea 2:19 (often Hos 2:21 in modern numbering) in the Lutheran tradition: “I will betroth myself to you forever; I will betroth myself to you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion.” – On the second page, in cursive script: “to unite with us in words and understanding, to recognise the will to unite with you and the intention without error.” - Smoothened folds and a few crease marks; a small cut on the edge of the border; otherwise well-preserved and a magnificent piece of work. Very rare in this condition.
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About the sale Valuable books, prints, historical photographs
Auction location
Auction time 10/24/2026 at 10:00 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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