(185 x 135mm – 7.25 x 5.25”) Original leaf from a medieval manuscript Book of Hours. 15 lines of text, ruled in red, written in Latin with dark brown ink in fine gothic script on animal vellum.
An attractive early leaf in International Gothic style with bold border decorations in bright fresh colors!
France, (likely Paris), c. 1370.
Bar borders in burnished gold, red, and blue with floral border extensions of blue, gold, white & orange leaves. Each side has a wonderful dragon (verso is fire-breathing) in blue and red riding along the top of the bar. One two-line illuminated initial in blue and white with an internal floral design on burnished ground; nine one-line illuminated initials alternating in burnished gold surrounded by blue penwork and blue surrounded by red penwork; and six illuminated line extenders in blue, gold, and or red.
The one-line illuminated “G” begins the Gloria: (Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen”.
The two-line illuminated “L” begins Psalm 121 (King James 122) 1-8: “Letatus…” (I rejoiced at the things that were said to me: We shall go into the house of the Lord. Our feet were standing in thy courts, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem, which is built as a city, which is compact together. For thither did the tribes go up, the tribes of the lord: the testimony of Israel, to praise the name of the Lord. Because their seats have sat in judgment, seats upon the house of David. Pray ye for the things that are for the peace of Jerusalem: and abundance for them that love thee. Let peace be in thy strength: and abundance in thy towers…).
This is a desirable leaf with excellent 14th century Gothic illumination and calligraphy. Stains on the left and right blank margins do not intrude into the design.
Shipped unmatted
