Original leaf from a medieval manuscript Book of Hours. 15 lines of red-ruled, French text, written with dark brown ink in gothic book-hand script on animal vellum. (127 x 92 mm - 5.1 x 3.7")
One four-line illuminated initial in blue on a burnished gold ground with floral interior design in red, orange & blue extending down the leaf with a bar of burnished gold & blue & into margins with delicate rinceaux design in burnished gold, green, blue & red;
Two two-line illuminated initials in burnished gold on a blue & red ground with delicate white penwork, extending into margins with a delicate rinceaux design in burnished gold, blue & red; two one-line illuminated initial in deep blue with delicate red penwork extending into the margin.
Northern France (Paris), c. 1420-30.
This leaf continues one of the most popular 15th century prayers: the Fifteen Joys of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The prayer celebrates the joyous moments of the Virgin Mary's life (The Annunciation, Visitation, Nativity...ending with the Assumption into Heaven).
Each two-line illuminated ''E'' begins: ''E tres doulce dame...'' (Very sweet lady...).
The three-line illuminated ''Q'' begins a prayer in French that opens the Seven Requests to our Lord.
This attractive leaf was written and illuminated in France at a pivotal point in the Hundred Year’s War - England defeated France decisively in Agincourt in 1415 and took Paris in 1420. Not until Joan of Arc’s heroism (1428-29) could France regain hope of restoring its capital. The book from which this came was likely in daily use at that time.
Provenance: Sotheby's - ex G. Barilla of Geneva, and formerly Frederick Fowler collection (England c. 1820's)
Books of Hours are personal prayer books of a devout and status-conscious society and are not only works of art, but cultural documents of their time. They reveal a unique combination of sacred and secular imagery - made of the finest materials, by the best craftsmen, for a small audience, which could both appreciate and afford them.
Presented in an archival 14x11'' mat
