Original leaf from a medieval Book of Hours. 19 lines of ruled text, written in medieval Dutch with dark brown ink in fine Gothic script, on animal vellum. (170 x 120mm – 6 5/8 x 4 ¾’’)
One illuminated five-line initial in burnished gold with an interior of blue with delicate white penwork all resting on a blue ground; twenty illuminated one-line initials alternating in blue & red. Verso has a three-quarter burnished gold bar along the text and an intricate border in a floral design in blue, green, red, pink & both liquid & burnished gold.
Netherlands, c. 1460.
The one-line illuminated “V” continues the Te Deum (4th century hymn of thanksgiving): “Vader onghemetenre gweldigher…” (Thy adorable, true & only Son; & the Holy Spirit, the Comforter. O Christ, Thou art the King of glory! Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father. Thou, having taken it upon Thyself to deliver man, didst not disdain the Virgin's womb. Thou overcame the sting of death & hast opened to believers the Kingdom of Heaven. Thou sitest at the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father. We believe that Thou shalt come to be our Judge. We beseech Thee, therefore, to help Thy servants whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy Precious Blood. Make them to be numbered with Thy Saints in everlasting glory… O Lord, in Thee I have hoped; let me never be put to shame).
The five-line illuminated “G” begins Hours of the Virgin – Hour of Lauds: “God wilt…” (Incline unto my aid O God. O Lord make haste to help me…).
The Dutch (Low Countries) were the first to break the tradition of using Latin in Prayer Books and Books of Hours. In England, France and Italy, Latin continued to be the primary liturgical language throughout the 1400’s.
Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat
