The Spice Merchant (Speciale)
Manuscript Illumination on Vellum • German or Northern Italian School; likely from a series of 'Tacuinum Sanitatis' (Manual of Health) illustrations.
Style & Movement
International Gothic / Late Medieval Manuscript Illustration
Medium & Technique
Gouache or tempera with ink on vellum; flat washes with fine line detailing for facial features and architectural elements.
Creation Period
Late 14th to early 15th Century (Late Medieval)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 15 cm x 10 cm; Portrait format (crop of a larger folio page).
Subject Description
A merchant or apothecary (Speciale) is depicted behind a wooden counter, weighing goods with a hand-held balance scale. Ten open sacks containing various finely ground spices or medicinal powders are arranged on the table. The architecture in the background features simple gothic windows and a red-tiled roof, characteristic of town life in medieval Europe.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good for its age; the pigments remain vibrant, though there is visible surface wear and rubbing.
Estimated Market Value
$5,000 - $12,000 (as an individual folio fragment)
Auction Estimate
$4,000 - $8,000
Provenance History
Likely originated from a larger medicinal or botanical compendium (Health Handbook) held in an institutional or noble library in Europe.
Art Historical Significance
Illustrations of this type provide vital cultural-historical data regarding medieval trade, botany, and the transition from herbalist traditions to modern pharmacy. They reflect the secularization of manuscript production.
Notable Features
The depiction of the hand-held balance scale and the diversity of spice textures (some granular, some powdered) indicates a high degree of observational detail common in later medieval health manuals.
Condition Issues
Visible pigment loss (flaking) in the merchant's blue tunic, minor stains, and slight discoloration of the vellum around the edges.
Conservation Recommendations
Must be kept in a climate-controlled environment with low UV light exposure. Acid-free mounting and UV-filtering glass are required for display.