Original leaf from a medieval illuminated manuscript Book of Hours. 14 lines of hand-ruled text written in Latin with dark brown ink in fine Gothic script on animal vellum. One two-line illuminated initial in liquid gold on blue ground with white penwork and a floral design into the margin in green, pink and gold; one-line illuminated initial in liquid gold on red ground.
Origin: Flanders circa 1475.
Size: 90 x 67mm – 3 ½ x 2 5/8 inches, from a diminutive manuscript likely written for a lady.
The two-line illuminated “A” begins Ecclesiasticus (King James Sirach) 24:14-16: “Ab initio…” (From the beginning, and before the world, was I created, and unto the world to come I shall not cease to be, and in the holy dwelling place I have ministered before him. And so was I established in Sion, and in the holy city likewise I rested, and my power was in Jerusalem. And I took root in an honorable people, and in the portion of by God his inheritance, and my abode is in the full assembly of saints).
The one-line illuminated “B” begins: Benedicta…” (Blessed and venerable art thou, O Virgin Mary, who, without spot, wast found the Mother of the Savior. Virgin Mother of God, He whom the whole world containeth not, being made man, shut Himself in thy womb…)
Shipped unmatted
