Original leaf from a medieval manuscript Book of Hours. 15 lines of red-ruled, Latin text, written with dark brown ink in lettre batarde script on animal vellum. (125x85mm)
One three-line illuminated initial in blue on a burnished gold ground with a floral interior design in red and blue; one two-line illuminated initial in blue with delicate white tracery on a burnished gold ground, having a floral interior in pink and blue on burnished gold ground; two one-line illuminated initials in burnished gold, on blue & red ground with delicate white tracery. Panel border contains highly decorative floral designs with berries and acanthus leaves in blue, pink, green, orange and brushed and burnished gold.
Northern France (Brittany?), c. 1450-60.
Unusual Miniature painting (68x45mm) of The Presentation of the Host (rarely included in a Book of Hours): The priest, center, is facing reader holding the Holy Eucharist. Two attendees in red and two in blue support the canopy over the priest and host; kneeling acolytes in foreground at left and right each swing a censer.
The border surrounding the miniature contains highly decorative floral designs in multiple colors and burnished gold with a swan resting on a leaf in the lower margin.
The three-line illuminated "D" begins: "Domine..." (Thou O Lord wilt open my lips...).
The two-line illuminated "C" begins "Corporis..." (Sing, my tongue, The Savior's glory, of His Flesh, the mystery sing; of the Blood, all price exceeding, shed by our Immortal King...).
Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat
