Original leaf from a medieval manuscript Book of Hours. 17 lines of text, ruled in red, written in Latin with dark brown ink in gothic script on animal vellum.
Northern France (likely Paris), c. 1480.
Size: 70x125mm – 6.75 x 5 inches
Ten illuminated one-line initials and eight illuminated line-extenders in liquid gold on blue or red ground. Decorative floral panel borders in liquid gold and colors with birds resting on a leaf while gazing towards the text - one in each border.
The one-line illuminated “Q” begins Psalm 142 (King James 143) 3-11: “Quia persecutes…” (For the enemy hath persecuted my soul: he hath brought down my life to the earth. He hath made me to dwell in darkness as those that have been dead of old: and my spirit is in anguish within me: my heart within me is troubled. I remembered the days of old, I meditated on all thy works: I meditated upon the works of thy hands. I stretched forth my hands to thee: my soul is as earth without water unto thee. Hear me speedily, O Lord: my spirit hath fainted away. Turn not away thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. Cause me to hear thy mercy in the morning; for in thee have I hoped. Make the way known to me, wherein I should walk: for I have lifted up my soul to thee. Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord, to thee have I fled: teach me to do thy will, for thou art my God…).
Books of Hours are personal prayer books of a devout and status-conscious society and are not only works of art, but cultural documents of their time. They reveal a unique combination of sacred and secular imagery - made of the finest materials, by the best craftsmen, for a small audience, which could both appreciate and afford them.
This is an extremely attractive example in superb condition, skillfully rendered on very fine vellum - Fresh and bright colors and gold!
Shipped unmatted
