IM-12868: Original leaf from a medieval manuscript Book of Hours. 15 lines of text, ruled in red, written in Latin with dark brown and red ink in gothic script on animal vellum. 

Size: 170 x 123mm – 6.7 x 4.8 inches.

France (Paris) c. 1450-75.

Six one-line illuminated initials and four illuminated line extenders in gold on a blue and red ground with delicate white penwork. Quarter panel borders on both front and back of the leaf in floral design with columbines (symbol of the Holy Spirit) in blue, green, pink, liquid and burnished gold.           

The text continues the Canticle of Ezechias - Isaiah 38:16-20: “In talibus vita…” (The life of my spirit be in such things as these, thou shalt correct me, and make me to live.  Behold in peace is my bitterness most bitter: but thou hast delivered my soul that it should not perish, thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.  For hell shall not confess to thee, neither shall death praise thee: nor shall they that go down into the pit, look for thy truth. The living, the living, he shall give praise to thee, as I do this day: the father shall make thy truth known to the children).

This Book of Hours leaf was scribed circa 1450-1475. This is a beautiful and highly ornamental original, about 575 years old, not a reproduction. It is in very nice antiquarian condition as shown in the photos. The colors and gold are fresh and bright.   It comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.