Original continuous bifolium leaves (two leaves – four pages) 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. Two two-line illuminated initials, five one-line illuminated initials and three line extenders in burnished gold on red and blue ground; the ¼ border is a colorful floral motif on liquid gold ground; ¼ border (pages 3 and 4) in a colorful floral design on liquid gold ground.
Origin: Paris, France circa 1500.
This is the center pair of leaves from a quire, thus the text is continuous and can be read starting from the recto of the first leaf to the verso, then to the recto of the second leaf and finally to its verso. Scarce, that can only happen on the center bifolium. The two joined leaves impart the feeling and appearance of an open medieval book !
Size (each leaf): 110 x 75mm – 4.25 x 2.9 inches, from a diminutive manuscript likely written for a lady.
The first one-line illuminated “E” continues The Canticle of Zachary – Luke 1:76-79: ”Et tu puer…” (And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways: To give knowledge of salvation to his people, unto the remission of their sins: Through the bowels of the mercy of our God, in which the Orient from the high hath visited us: To enlighten them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death: to direct our feet into the way of peace).
The two-line illuminated “D” begins the prayer: “Deus qui corda…” (O God, Who taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that, by the gift of the same Spirit, we may be always truly wise, and ever rejoice in His consolation…).
The second two-line illuminated “D” begins: “Deus qui…” (O God, Thou hast willed that at the message of an angel Thy Word should take flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary; grant to Thy people, that we, who believe her to be truly the Mother of God, may be helped by her intercession with Thee…).
Provenance: ex-collection of Brooklyn Museum of Art, acquired in 1919. Deaccessioned and sold to support the museum collection.
Shipped unmatted
