A Book of Hours Leaf, c 1485 - Border with bird & flowers

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Original leaf from a medieval manuscript Book of Hours. 12 lines of ruled text, written in Latin with dark brown ink & red rubrics in lettre batarde script on animal vellum. (133 x 90mm – 5 ¼ x 3 ½’’) 

One three-line illuminated initial, two two-line illuminated initials in deep blue and white on a sepia ground with delicate gold penwork; three one-line illuminated initials alternating in blue and white, and red and white on a sepia ground with delicate gold penwork; text surrounded on three sides by a burnished gold bar.

Delicate rinceaux border (recto) in red, blue, brown and green with burnished and brushed gold. Within the border is a bird landing on a branch in the lower margin!                                   

France (Paris?), c. 1485

This leaf begins the Hours of the Virgin – Hour of Matins. The three-line illuminated “D” begins: “Domine labia…”  (Thou O Lord, wilt open my lips. And my mouth shall declare thy praise. Incline unto my aid O Lord. O Lord make hast to help me. Glory be to the Father and to the Son. As it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be world without end. Amen.  Hail Mary, full of grace: The Lord is with thee). 

The two-line illuminated “V” begins Psalm 94 (King James 95) 1-2: “Venite…” (Come let us praise the Lord with joy: let us joyfully sing to God our savior.  Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving; and make a joyful noise to him with psalms).

Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat

  • Inventory# IM-11755
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