Original leaf 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 with rubrics in red.
One two-line illuminated initial, twelve one-line illuminated initials and eight line-extenders in burnished gold on a red and blue ground; ¼ border (verso) in a colorful floral design (with columbines – symbol of the Holy Spirit) on liquid gold ground.
Origin: Paris, France circa 1500.
Size: 110 x 75mm – 4.25 x 2.9 inches, from a diminutive manuscript likely written for a lady.
The two-line illuminated “K” begins the Litany of the Saints (first prescribed by Pope Gregory in 590 for a public thanksgiving following a plague that ravaged Rome): “Kyrie…” (Lord have mercy on us, Christ have mercy on us. Lord have mercy on us. Christ hear us. God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us. God the Son redeemer of the world, have mercy upon us. God the Holy Ghost, have mercy upon us. Holy Trinity one God, have mercy upon us…).
Provenance: ex-collection of Brooklyn Museum of Art, acquired in 1919. Deaccessioned and sold to support the museum collection.
Shipped unmatted
