Original leaf from a French medieval illuminated manuscript Book of Hours. 17 lines of hand-ruled text written in Latin with black ink in fine bold gothic textura script on animal vellum with rubrics in red.
Two multi-line illuminated initials, ten illuminated one-line initials, and one illuminated line extender alternating in deep blue with intricate red penwork and burnished gold with intricate blue penwork – many extending into the margin.
Origin: Paris, France circa 1425-1450 Size : 6.1 x 4.5 inches, (155 x 114mm)
Line one continues Psalm 145 (King James 146) 4-10: “[Exibit] spiritus…” (His spirit shall go forth, and he shall return into his earth: in that day all their thoughts shall perish. Blessed is he who hath the God of Jacob for his helper, whose hope is in the Lord his God: who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all things that are in them. Who keepeth truth forever: who executeth judgment for them that suffer wrong: who giveth food to the hungry. The Lord looseth them that are fettered: the Lord enlighteneth the blind. The Lord lifteth up them that are cast down: the Lord loveth the just. The Lord keepteh the stranger, he will support the fatherless and the widow: and the ways of sinners he will destroy. The Lord shall reigh forever: thy God, O Sion, unto generation and generation).
The multi-line “I” begins: “Inclina…” (Incline Thine ear, O Lord, unto our prayers, wherein we humbly pray Thee to show Thy mercy upon the soul of Thy servant…).
Provenance: Written for the Use of Paris – Rare inclusion of St. Bruno in the Litany indicates possible ownership by a monk of the Carthusian Monastery of Vauvert (Order of St Bruno), Paris (established 1257, dissolved 1792).
Shipped unmatted
