Original leaf from a medieval manuscript Book of Hours. 17 lines of text, ruled in red, written in Latin with dark brown and red ink in gothic script on animal vellum.(106 x 82mm – 4 3/16 x 3 ¼’’)
One four-line and one two-line illuminated initials in burnished gold on a red and blue ground with delicate white penwork extending into the margins with delicate burnished gold leaves; twelve one-line illuminated initials alternating in deep blue with delicate red penwork, and burnished gold with delicate violet penwork.
Northern France or French Flanders, c. 1450-70.
The four-line illuminated “J” begins Psalm (99 King James 100) complete: “Jubilate…” (Sing joyfully to God, all the earth: serve ye the Lord with Gladness. Come in before his presence with exceeding great joy. Know ye that the Lord he is God: he made us, and not we ourselves. We are his people and the sheep of his pasture. Go ye into his gates with praise, into his courts with hymns: and give glory to him. Praise ye his name: for the Lord is sweet, his mercy endureth forever and his truth to generation and generation).
The two-line illuminated “D” begins Psalm 62 (KJ 63) 1-8: “Deus deus…” (O God, my God, to thee do I watch at break of day. For thee my soul hath thirsted; for thee my flesh, O how many ways! In a desert land, where there is no way and no water: so in the sanctuary have I come before thee, to see thy power and thy glory. For thy mercy is better than lives: thee my lips shall praise. Thus will I bless thee all my live long: and in thy name I will lift up my hands…).
Presented in an archival 14x11'' mat
