Original leaf from a medieval illuminated manuscript Book of Hours. 15 lines of hand-ruled text written in Latin on animal vellum in brown ink. Measures: 184 x 125mm – 7 ¼ x 4 7/8 inches)
This leaf is handsomely embellished with two two-line illuminated initials and nine one-line illuminated initials in burnished gold on red and blue ground with delicate white penwork. The panel borders on each side of the leaf contain a highly decorative floral design with flowers (including strawberries – symbol of perfect righteousness), berries, and acanthus leaves in blue, red, green, pink, and burnished gold.
France (Anjou), Use of Angers, c. 1450-75.
The content of this leaf is one of the most recognized and beloved psalms.The two-line illuminated “D” begins Psalm 22 (King James 23) complete: “Dominus regit…” (The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever).
The two-line illuminated “A” opens Psalm 24 (KJ 25): “Ad te domine…” (To thee, O Lord, have I lifted up my soul. In thee, O my God, I put my trust…).
Angers was the cradle of the Plantagenet dynasty and one of the intellectual centers of Europe during the reign of Rene of Anjou, (1434-80). When this leaf was scribed the two branches of the Plantagenet dynasty, House of Lancaster & House of York, were engaged in the War of the Roses.
A very attractive 550 year old example of medieval craft in an excellent state of preservation.
Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat
