Original leaf from a French medieval illuminated manuscript Book of Hours. 13 lines of hand-ruled text written in Latin with dark brown ink in fine lettre bâtarde script on animal vellum with rubrics in red.
Two two-line illuminated initials, five one-line illuminated initials and one illuminated line extender in burnished gold on a red and blue ground; ¼ border (recto and verso) in a colorful floral design (including strawberries – symbol of perfect righteousness) on liquid gold ground.
Origin: Paris, France circa 1500.
Size: 110 x 75mm – 4.25 x 2.9 inches, from a diminutive manuscript likely written for a lady.
The two-line illuminated “S” begins Ecclesiasticus (King James Sirach) 24:20: “Sicut…” (I gave a sweet smell like cinnamon and aromatical balm: I yielded a sweet odor like the best myrrh).
The two-line illuminated “N” begins The Canticle of Simeon – Luke 2: 29-32: “Nunc…” (Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace; Because my eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples. A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel).
Provenance: ex-collection of Brooklyn Museum of Art, acquired in 1919. Deaccessioned and sold to support the museum collection.
Shipped unmatted
