Original leaf from a medieval manuscript Book of Hours, with illuminations by a Master of the Boucicaut School. 15 lines of red-ruled, Latin text, written with dark brown ink in gothic book-hand script on animal vellum. (127 x 92mm).
One two-line illuminated initial in burnished gold on blue and pink ground extending into the margin with a delicate rinceaux design in burnished gold, red and blue; six one-line illuminated initials alternating in blue with delicate red penwork and burnished gold with delicate blue penwork.
Northern France (Paris), c. 1420-30.
The one-line illuminated ''E'' begins Psalm 40 (King James 41) 10-14: ''Eternim...'' (For even the man of my peace, in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, hath greatly supplanted me. But thou, O Lord have mercy on me, and raise me up again: and I will requite them. By this I know, that thou hast had a good will for me: because my enemy shall not rejoice over me. But thou hast upheld me by reason of my innocence: and hast established me in thy sight forever. Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel from eternity to eternity. So be it. So be it).
The two-line illuminated ''Q'' begins the hymn: ''Qui...'' (You who lay dead In the stone, innocent king, Make us rest in you And always give you praises, Help us, O Lord, Whom you have redeemed with your blood, And lead us to the heavenly Joys of eternal peace).
Provenance: Sotheby's - ex G. Barilla of Geneva, and formerly Frederick Fowler collection (England c. 1820's).
Shipped in archival 14x11'' mat.
