Original continuous bifolium from a medieval manuscript Psalter. Two continuous leaves (four pages). 19 lines, written in Latin on animal parchment in small gothic bookhand with serrated line extenders in red, blue and burnished gold. (Each leaf: 130x90 mm)
France: Paris, c. 1200-25.
Three large three-line illuminated initials in burnished gold on burgundy & blue ground with an interior of delicate white tracery & orange flowers – extending into the margin. Each leaf has a ¼” bar border recto & verso with burnished gold initials on burgundy & blue with white tracery. Numerous line-extenders in burnished gold, red & blue.
The one-line illuminated “L” begins Psalm 148: 7-14: “Laudate…” (Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, & all ye deeps...).
The three-line illuminated “C” begins Psalm 149 complete: “Cantate…” (Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle…).
The three-line illuminated "L" begins Psalm 150 complete: "Lautate..." (Praise ye the Lord in his holy place...).
The three-line illuminated "C" begins Isaiah 12:1-6: "Confitebor..." (And thou shalt say in that day: I will give thanks to thee, O Lord, for thou wast angry with me: thy wrath is turned away and thou hast comforted me. Behold, God is my savior, I will deal confidently, and will not fear: because the Lord is my strength, and my praise, and he is become my salvation...).
The devout were expected to engage in a series of daily devotions, structured around the reading of the Psalms. In the Middle Ages all 150 psalms were to be recited each day, but as this proved impractical, the sequence was restructured to encompass a full week!
Presented in an archival 11x14'' mat
