Illuminated Manuscript Book of Hours Leaf, France, c. 1425-50
Complete Text from PSALM 124 and 125 (KJ 125/126)
IM-13557: Original leaf from a French medieval illuminated manuscript Book
of Hours. 17 lines of hand-ruled text written in Latin with black ink
in fine bold gothic textura script on animal vellum with
rubrics in red.
Two two-line illuminated initials and fourteen
illuminated one-line initials alternating in deep blue with intricate red
penwork and burnished gold with intricate blue penwork – many extending into
the margin.
Origin: Paris,
France circa 1425-1450
Size : 6.1 x 4.5 inches, (155 x
114mm)
The
two-line gold illuminated “Q” begins Psalm
124 (King James 125) – complete: “Qui confidunt…” (They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount
Sion: he shall not be moved forever that dwelleth in Jerusalem. Mountains are round about it: so the Lord is
round about his people from henceforth now and forever. For the Lord will not
leave the rod of sinners upon the lot of the just: that the just may not
stretch forth their hands to iniquity. Do good, O Lord, to those that are good,
and to the upright of heart. But such
as turn aside into bonds, the Lord shall lead out with the workers of
iniquity: peace upon Israel).
The
two-line illuminated “I” begins Psalm
125 (KJ 126) complete: “In
convertendo…” (When the Lord brought back the captivity of Sion, we became
like men comforted…).
This Book of Hours leaf was scribed circa 1425-1450. This is a beautiful and highly ornamental original, about 575 years old, not a reproduction. It is in exceptionally nice antiquarian condition as shown in the photos. The colors and gold are fresh and bright. It comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.
Books of Hours are personal prayer books of a devout and status-conscious society and are not only works of art, but cultural documents of their time. They reveal a unique combination of sacred and secular imagery - made of the finest materials, by the best craftsmen, for a small audience that could both appreciate and afford them. | ||