Original leaf from a large medieval manuscript Book of Hours. 25 lines of Latin lettre batarde script in dark brown ink on animal vellum with rubrics in red. (223 x 145mm – 8 x 5 5/8’’)
Recto has one two-line illuminated initial and two line-extenders in burnished gold on red and blue ground; Elaborate rinceaux floral border surrounds the text in red, blue, green and burnished gold. Verso has one elaborate seven-line illuminated initial in blue and white with floral design in red and blue all on a burnished gold ground; Quarter-inch border surrounds the text in blue and white, red and white, and burnished gold.
Northern France, c. 1460-80.
The two-line illuminated “D” begins: “Deus…” (God, you who wanted to leave behind for us, marked by the light of your face, a memorial of you, in the presence of Veronica, your image impressed on a cloth. Through your passion and cross and your holy cloth, grant us that now, through the mirror, in an enigma, we may succeed to venerate, adore, and honor your image, just as then, safe and sound, we may see, face-to-face, the judge coming above us, our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen).
The seven-line illuminated “O” begins a popular prayer of the Middle Ages - The Obsecro Te “Obsecro te…” I beseech thee, Lady Holy Mary, Mother of God, most full of piety, daughter of the Most High King, Mother most glorious, Mother of orphans, consolation of the desolate, way of the straying, health and hope of those hoping in thee, virgin before giving birth, virgin during birth, and virgin after giving birth. I beseech thee font of mercy, font of grace and well-being, font of piety and joy, font of consolation and indulgence. I beseech thee through that holy ineffable joy in which thy spirit rejoiced at that hour when the Son of God was announced to thee by the Archangel Gabriel and was conceived, and through the divine mystery worked by the Holy Spirit, and through that holy ineffable grace, piety, mercy, love and humility by which the Son of God descended to accept human flesh in thy most venerable womb and which He saw in thee when He commended thee to St. John the apostle and evangelist,…).
Shipped unmatted
