c 1500 Book of Hours Leaves - Continuous Bifolium

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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.

One two-line illuminated initials and thirteen one-line illuminated initials in burnished gold on red and blue ground; ten illuminated line extenders in liquid gold on a red, sepia or blue ground. ¼ border (page 2) in a colorful floral design on liquid gold ground                                            

Origin:  Paris, France circa 1500.

This is the center pair of leaves from a signature, thus the text is continuous from the recto of the first leaf to the verso, then to the recto of the second leaf and finally to its verso. Scarce, because 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. Overall size is 4.25 x 5.8 inches.

The first one-line illuminated “I” continues Psalm 31 (King James 32) 8-11: “Intellectum…” (I will give thee understanding, and I will instruct thee in this way, in which thou shalt go: I will fix my eyes upon thee…Many are the scourges of the sinner, but mercy shall encompass him that hopeth in the Lord.  Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye just, and glory, all ye right of heart).  

The two-line illuminated “D” begins Psalm 37 (KJ 38) 1-9:  “Domine…” (Rebuke me not, O Lord, in thy indignation; nor chastise me in thy wrath. For thy arrows are fastened in me: and thy hand hath been strong upon me. There is no health in my flesh, because of thy wrath: there is no peace for my bones, because of my sins…).

Provenance:   ex-collection of Brooklyn Museum of Art, acquired in 1919.  Deaccessioned and sold to support the museum collection.

Shipped unmatted

 

  • Inventory# IM-13257
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