Original leaf from a medieval manuscript Book of Hours. 15 lines, of red-ruled Latin text written in dark brown ink, in fine gothic script on animal vellum. (170 x 120mm – 6 ¾ x 4 7/8’’)
One two-line illuminated initial in blue with delicate white penwork with an internal floral motif in blue and red on a burnished gold ground; nine illuminated one-line initials in burnished gold on a blue and red ground with delicate white penwork; eight illuminated line-extenders in blue, red, white and burnished gold. A thin burnished gold bar runs the length of text on one side, next to a beautiful rinceaux border in red, blue, green, pink and burnished gold
France, Loire Valley (Angers?), c. 1440-50.
The one-line illuminated “E” begins Psalm 42 (King James 43): 3-5:”Emitte lucem …” (Send forth thy light and thy truth: they have conducted me, and brought me unto thy holy hill, and into thy tabernacles. And I will go in to the altar of God: to God who giveth joy to my youth. To thee, O God my God, I will give praise upon the harp: why art thou sad, O my soul? And why dost thou disquiet me? Hope in God, for I will still give praise to him: the salvation of my countenance, and my God).
The two-line illuminated “S” begins Psalm 128 (KJ 129) 1-6: “Sepe expugnaverunt…” (Often have they fought against me from my youth, let Israel now say. Often have they fought against me from my youth: but they could not prevail over me. The wicked have wrought upon my back: they have lengthened their iniquity. The Lord who is just will cut the necks of sinners: let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Sion…).
Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat
