Original leaf from a French medieval illuminated manuscript Book of Hours. 17 lines of hand-ruled text written in Latin with black ink in fine bold gothic textura script on animal vellum with rubrics in red.
One elaborate seven-line illuminated initial in burnished gold surrounded by elaborate blue penwork extending into the margin; one one-line illuminated initial in deep blue with internal & external red penwork; two line-extenders in red & blue, and burnished gold & blue.
Origin: Paris, France circa 1425-1450 Size: 6.1 x 4.5 inches, (155 x 114mm)
The elaborate gold “I” begins the First Gospel Lesson – John 1:1-14 (complete): “In principio…” (In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him: and without him was made nothing that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to give testimony of the light, that all men might believe through him. He was not the light, but was to give testimony of the light. That was the true light, which enlighteneth every man that cometh into this world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, he gave them power to be made the sons of god, to them that believe in his name. Who are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we saw his glory, the glory as it were of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth).
Provenance: Written for the Use of Paris – Rare inclusion of St. Bruno in the Litany indicates possible ownership by a monk of the Carthusian Monastery of Vauvert (Order of St Bruno), Paris (established 1257, dissolved 1792).
Shipped unmatted
