Original leaf from a medieval manuscript Book of Hours. 16 lines of ruled text, ruled in red, written in Latin with dark brown ink in gothic script on animal vellum.(162x125mm – 6 3/8 x 5’’)
Two illuminated two-line initials and thirteen illuminated one-line initials in burnished gold on a red and blue ground with delicate white penwork. The panel borders (both sides) contain a highly decorative floral design with flowers, berries and acanthus leaves in blue, red, green, pink, burnished and brushed gold.
Northern France (Paris), c. 1460.
The Two-line illuminated “I” begins Psalm 42 (King James 43) complete: “Iudica…” (Judge me, O God, and distinguish my cause from the nation that is not holy: deliver me from the unjust and deceitful man. For thou art God my strength…) .
The two-line illuminated “S” begins Psalm 128 (KJ 129) 1-8: “Sepe expugnaverunt…” (Often have they fought against me from my youth, let Israel now say. Often have they fought against me from my youth: but they could not prevail over me. The wicked have wrought upon my back: they have lengthened their iniquity…).
Presented in an archival 14x11'' mat