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.
Three two-line illuminated initials, six one-line illuminated initials, and one illuminated line-extender alternating in burnished gold with blue penwork and blue with red penwork – many extending into the margins.
Origin: Paris, France - circa 1425-1450 Size: 6.1 x 4.5 inches, (155 x 114mm)
The two-line illuminated “E” begins Psalm 133 (King James 134) complete: “Ecce…” (Behold now bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord: Who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God. In the nights lift up your hands to the holy places, and bless ye the Lord. May the Lord out of Sion bless thee, he that made heaven and earth).
The two-line illuminated “T” begins the popular 7th century hymn: “Te Lucis Ante Terminum…” (To Thee, before the close of day Creator of the world, we pray that with Thy wonted favor, Thou wouldst be our Guard and Keeper now. From all ill dreams defend our eyes, from nightly fears and fantasies: tread under foot our ghostly foe, that no pollution we may know…).
The two-line illuminated “T” begins: “Tu in nobis…” (But thou, O Lord, art among us, and thy name is called upon by us: forsake us not, O Lord our God.
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
