IM-13539  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 in burnished gold on a red and blue 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.

This leaf continues the section of Suffrages - prayers to saints who were considered the protectors, helpers and guardians of medieval people.  

The rubrics announce the prayer to Saint Katherine. The text begins: “Virgo…” (The virgin St. Katherine, jewel of Greece, was the daughter of King Costus in the city of Alexandria). 

The two-line illuminated “D” begins: “Deus…” (O God, who hath given the law of Moses on the peak of Mount Sinai, and in the same place hath marvelously laid the body of blessed Katherine thy virgin and martyr by the holy angels, grant, we beseech, that by her favors and intercession we may be able to reach the mountain where Christ is)). 

Provenance:   ex-collection of Brooklyn Museum of Art, acquired in 1919.  Deaccessioned and sold to support the museum collection.

 This Book of Hours leaf was scribed circa 1500. This is a beautiful and highly ornamental original, more than 500 years old, not a reproduction. It is in excellent antiquarian condition as seen in the photos. -  It comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.