Original leaf from a medieval manuscript Book of Hours, illuminated in the style of the Maitre François. 15 lines of ruled text, ruled in red, written in Latin with dark brown ink in gothic script on animal vellum. (160 x 120mm – 6 ¼ x 4 ¾’’)
One illuminated two-line initial in blue and white on a gold ground with floral infill; ten illuminated one-line initials and eight line extenders in gold, on blue & red ground with delicate white tracery. The panel borders (both sides) contain a highly decorative floral design with flowers, berries and acanthus leaves in blue, red, green and brushed gold.
Northern France: probably Paris, c. 1460.
The one-line illuminated “T” concludes Psalm 123 (King James 124) 5-8: “Torrentem…” (Our soul hath passed through a torrent: perhaps our soul had passed through a water insupportable. Blessed be the Lord, who hath not given us to be a prey to their teeth. Our soul hath been delivered as a sparrow out of the snare of the fowlers. The snare is broken, and we are delivered. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth).
The two-line illuminated “Q” begins Psalm 124 (KJ 125) 1-5: “Qui confidunt…” (They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Sion: he shall not be moved forever that dwelleth in Jerusalem. Mountains are round about it: so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth now and forever…).
Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat
