Original leaf from a medieval Book of Hours. 17 lines of text, ruled in red, written in Latin with dark brown and red ink in Gothic script on animal vellum. (150x100mm – 6 x 4’’)
One illuminated two-line initial in burnished gold with blue internal penwork and surrounded by a deep blue color and delicate red penwork; seven illuminated one-line initials, one paraph, and two line-extenders alternating in deep blue with delicate red penwork and burnished gold with delicate blue penwork. Beautiful three-quarter-panel border (verso) of burnished gold, deep blue and delicate red and blue pen flourishes.
Southeastern France, Aix or Marseilles, c. 1460. (Made for a patron most likely residing in Provence, along the stretch between Aix & Marseilles – a region host to scribes & artists from all over Europe). This unusual leaf was formerly in the collection of Count Paul Durrieu (1855-1925), one of the first and most eminent historians of late Medieval French Illuminated Manuscripts and Keeper of Manuscripts at the Bibliotheque Nationale
The one-line illuminated “A” continues Psalm 108 (King James 109) 26-31: “Adiuva me…” (Help me, O Lord my God; save me according to thy mercy. And let them know that this is thy hand: and that thou, O Lord, hast done it…I will give great thanks to the Lord with my mouth: and in the midst of many I will praise him. Because he hath stood at the right hand of the poor, to save my soul from persecutors).
The two-line illuminated “X” begins part of I Peter: 21-22: “Christus passus…” (Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example that you should follow his steps. Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth).
Shipped unmatted
