IM-13208: 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. 

The leaf is extensively illuminated with Two two-line illuminated initials, two one-line illuminated initials and one line extender in burnished gold on a red and blue ground. Bar borders on both recto & verso are embellished in a colorful floral design on liquid gold 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.         

The one-line illuminated “P” concludes Psalm 121 (King James 122) 9: “Propter…” (Because of the house of the Lord our God, I have sought good things for thee). 

The two-line illuminated “P” begins:  “Paradisi…” (The gate of paradise through Eve was closed to all, and through the Virgin Mary again was made open). 

The two-line illuminated “A” begins:  “Assit nobis…” (May the power of the Holy Spirit be with us…). 

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.