Original leaf from a medieval manuscript Breviary. 31 lines written in Latin in double columns with dark brown and red ink on animal vellum. Full margins, retaining evidence of the pinprick guide marks. (183 x 135mm – 7 3/8 x 5 ¼’’).
Five two-line illuminated initials alternating in red and white or blue and white, with a floral or geometric interior - all on a burnished gold ground, many extending into the margin with a delicate rinceaux border in red, blue, green, yellow and burnished gold.
France (Use of Autun), c. 1474-75.
The two-line illuminated “E” through the two-line illuminated “Q” contains Romans 3:4-12: “Est autum deus…” (But God is true; and every man a liar, as it is written, That thou mayest be justified in thy words, and mayest overcome when thou art judged. But if our injustice commend the justice of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust, who executeth wrath? (I speak according to man) God forbid: otherwise how shall God judge this world? For if the truth of God hath more abounded though my lie, unto his glory, why am I also jet judged as a sinner? And not rather (as we are slandered, and as some affirm that we say) let us do evil, that there may come good? Whose damnation is just. What then? Do we excel them? No, not so. For we have charged both Jews, and Greeks, that they are all under sin. As it is written: There is not any man just. There is none that understandeth, there is not that seeketh after God. All have turned our of the way: they are become unprofitable together: there is none that doth good, there is not so much as one).
Provenance: from a Breviary written for the Use of Autun c. 1474-75; property of the descendants of Sir William Forbes, 6th Baronet of Pitsligo (1739-1806) from the Library at Fettercairn House, Kindardineshire; sold at Sotheby’s London Dec 2016, subsequently dispersed.
A Breviary is composed of many books (prayers, hymns, psalms...) painstakingly but carefully written by hand, and used by monks and priests to conduct their daily services. The painted and illuminated manuscript is among the greatest artistic triumphs of the Middle Ages, demonstrating social, intellectual, religious and cultural attitudes of medieval life.
A lovely leaf in impeccable preservation from an elegant breviary of extremely high quality, beautifully scribed on fine thin vellum. The extensive red rubrics are visually appealing.
Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat
