Illuminated Manuscript Book of Hours Leaf, France, c. 1425-50
Text from PSALM 117/118 (KJ 118/119)
IM-13399: 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, fourteen
one-line illuminated initials and one illuminated line extender alternating in
burnished gold with blue penwork and blue with red penwork – many extending
into the margins.
Origin: Paris,
France circa 1425-1450
Size: 6.1 x 4.5 inches, (155 x
114mm)
The
one-line illuminated “H” continues Psalm
117 (King James 118) 24-29: “Hec est…” (This is the day which the
Lord hath made: let us be glad and rejoice therein. O Lord, save me: O Lord,
give good success. Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord…).
The
two-line illuminated gold “B” begins
Psalm 118 (KJ 119) 1-8: “Beati…”
(Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord…).
The
multi-line illuminated “I” continues
verse 9: “In quo…” (By what doth a young man correct his way? By observing
thy words…).
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. | ||