c 1460 Breviary Leaf - Hymn O Light of Light - Italy

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Original leaf from a medieval manuscript Breviary. Ruled for 27 lines of Latin text, written in double columns with dark brown & red ink in fine rounded gothic book hand on animal vellum.  (150 x 118mm – 5 7/8 x 4 5/8’’) 

One elaborate six-line illuminated initial in red with white penwork, outlined internally in gold with further internal floral design in blue, orange & white, with external outline in deep burgundy - all sitting on a burnished gold ground & extending into the margin with green leaves ending with intricate penwork & burnished gold bezants. Three two-line illuminated initials alternating in red with delicate violet penwork and blue with delicate red penwork – all extending in to the margins; numerous one-line illuminated initials alternating in red and blue.  

Northern Italy (Padua?), c. 1460.

The two-line illuminated “C” (recto) begins the hymn Consors Paterni Luminus (attributed to Saint Ambrose): “Consors…” (O light of light, O Dayspring bright, coequal in Thy Father's light: assist us, as with prayer and psalm Thy servants break the nightly calm…).

The elaborate illuminated “D” (verso) begins Psalm 38 (King James 39): 1-14: “Dixi custodiam…” (I said: I will take heed to my ways: that I sin not with my tongue. I have a set guard to my mouth, when the sinner stood against me. I was dumb, and was humbled, and kept silence from good things…).

A Breviary is composed of many books (prayers, hymns, psalms...) painstakingly but carefully written by hand, & used by monks & priests to conduct daily services. 

An attractive leaf in very fine condition. The inital is unusual with precise penwork tendrils.

Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat

  • Inventory# IM-12765
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