c 1450-75 Book of Hours leaf - Beautiful border - Psalms

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Original leaf from a manuscript Book of Hours. 15 lines of hand-ruled text written in Latin on animal vellum in brown ink. (184 x 125mm – 7 ¼ x 4 7/8’’)

Three two-line illuminated initials, seven one-line illuminated initials  in burnished gold on red and blue ground with delicate white penwork. The panel borders contain a highly decorative floral design with flowers, berries (including strawberries – symbol of perfect righteousness), and acanthus leaves in blue, red, green, pink, and burnished gold.      

France (Anjou), Use of Angers, c. 1450-75.

The two-line illuminated “D” begins Psalm 130 (King James 131) complete: “Domine…” (Lord, my heart is not exalted: nor are my eyes lofty. Neither have I walked in great matters, nor in wonderful things above me. If I was not humbly minded, but exalted my soul: As a child that is weaned is towards his mother, so reward in my soul. Let Israel hope in the Lord, from henceforth now and forever).

The two-line “V” begins: “ Virgo dei…” ( O Virgin Mother of God, He Whom the whole world does not contain, enclosed Himself in thy womb, being made man. True faith in thy begotten Son has cast out the sins of the world, and for thee virginity remains inviolate. Thou art the Mother of divine love, Thou the aiding power the world cries out to: come in aid, O blessed one, of thy servants.  Great glory be to the Father, equal glory to the Son, great glory to God the Holy Spirit.  Amen).

Angers was the cradle of the Plantagenet dynasty and one of the intellectual centers of Europe during the reign of Rene of Anjou, (1434-80). When this leaf was scribed the two branches of the Plantagenet dynasty, House of Lancaster & House of York, were engaged in the War of the Roses.

Presented in an archival 14 x 11' mat

  • Inventory# IM-12550
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