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.
The pair of leaves is embellished with Two two-line illuminated initials, seven one-line illuminated initials, and two line extenders in burnished gold on red and blue 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.
The two-line illuminated “K” begins: “Kyrie eleyson…” (Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy. Savior of the world come to our aid. Holy Mary pray for us…).
Provenance: ex-collection of Brooklyn Museum of Art, acquired in 1919. Deaccessioned and sold to support the museum collection.
Shipped unmatted
