Original leaf 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 with rubrics in red. One two-line illuminated initial, eight one-line illuminated initials and three line extenders in burnished gold on a red and blue ground; ¼ border (verso) in a colorful floral design (including strawberries – symbol of perfect righteousness) on liquid gold ground.
Origin: Paris, France circa 1500.
Size: 110 x 75mm – 4.25 x 2.9 inches, from a diminutive manuscript likely written for a lady.
The one-line illuminated “C” begins Psalm 123 (King James 124) 3-8: “Cum irasceretur…” (When their fury was enkindled against us, perhaps the waters had swallowed us up. Our soul hath passed through a torrent: perhaps our soul had passed through a water insupportable. Blessed be the Lord, who hath not given us to be a prey to their teeth…).
The two-line illuminated “Q” begins Psalm 124 (KJ 125) 1-2: “Qui confidunt…” (They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Sion: he shall not be moved forever that dwelleth in Jerusalem…).
Provenance: ex-collection of Brooklyn Museum of Art, acquired in 1919. Deaccessioned and sold to support the museum collection.
Shipped unmatted
