Original leaf from a manuscript Book of Hours. 17 lines of text, ruled in red, written in Latin with dark brown ink in precise and elegant lettre batarde script on animal vellum with rubrics in red. (155x95mm – 6 x 3.75’’)
One two-line illuminated initial, ten one-line illuminated initials and eight illuminated line extenders in gold on alternating red and blue ground with delicate gold penwork.
Northern France, c. 1470.
The one-line illuminated “I” continues Psalm 150: 3-6: “Laudate…” (Praise him with sound of trumpet: praise him with psaltery and harp. Praise him with timbrel and choir: praise him with strings and organs. Praise him on high sounding cymbals: praise him on cymbals of joy: let every spirit praise the Lord).
The two-line illuminated “B” begins the Canticle of Zechariah – Luke 1:68-75 “Benedictus…” (Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; because he hath visited and wrought the redemption of his people: And hath raised up an horn of salvation to us, in the house of David his servant: As he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets, who are from the beginning: Salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us: To perform mercy to our fathers, and to remember his holy testament, the oath, which he swore to Abraham our father, that he would grant to us, That being delivered from the hand of our enemies, we may serve him without fear…).
Shipped unmatted
