Original leaf from a manuscript Book of Hours. 24 lines of text, ruled in red, written in Latin in an elegant angular gothic book-hand script on animal vellum; rubrics in red. (178 x 125mm – 7 x 5’’)
Two two-line illuminated initials, twelve one-line illuminated initials and six illuminated line-extenders in gold on red or blue ground.
France: Rouen, (Use of Rouen) c. 1470-90.
Unusual vibrant and elaborate panel borders on recto and verso in colorful floral and geometric motif in red, green, blue and white on gold ground.
The two-line illuminated “Q” begins Ecclesiasticus (King James Sirach) 24:17-20: “Quasi Cedrus…” (I was exalted like a cedar in Libanus, and as a cypress tree on Mount Sion. I was exalted like a palm tree in Cades, and as a rose plant in Jericho. As a fair olive tree in the plains, and as a plane tree by the water in the streets, was I exalted…).
The two-line illuminated “T” begins the popular fourth century hymn of praise: “Te Deum…” (O God, we praise Thee: we acknowledge Thee to be the Lord. Everlasting Father, all the earth doth worship Thee. To Thee all the Angels, the Heavens and all the Powers, all the Cherubim and Seraphim, unceasingly proclaim: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts! Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty of Thy glory. The glorious choir of the Apostles, the wonderful company of Prophets, the white-robed army of Martyrs, praise Thee. Holy Church throughout the world doth acknowledge Thee: the Father of infinite Majesty).
Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat
