Original leaf from a medieval illuminated manuscript Book of Hours. 14 lines of hand-ruled text written in Latin with dark brown ink in fine Gothic script on animal vellum. One two-line illuminated initial in liquid gold on red ground with white penwork and a floral design into the margin in green, blue and gold.
Origin: Flanders circa 1475.
Size: 90 x 67mm – 3 ½ x 2 5/8 inches, from a diminutive manuscript likely written for a lady.
The two-line illuminated “S” begins Lesson VIII – Job 17: 1-3; 11-14 (The nine lessons from Job contain moving readings from Job detailing the trials he endured in his struggle for God’s blessings): “Spiritus meus…” (My spirit shall be wasted, my days shall be shortened, and only the grave remaineth for me. I have not sinned, and my eye abideth in bitterness. Deliver me, O Lord, and set me beside thee, and let any man’s hand fight against me. My days have passed away, my thoughts are dissipated, tormenting my heart. They have turned night into day, and after darkness I hope for light again…).
Shipped unmatted
