Original leaf from a printed & hand-illuminated Book of Hours. Twenty-eight lines of ruled Latin text, printed in red & black on animal vellum. (178 x 115mm – 7 x 4 ½’’)
Five illuminated two-line initials and numerous illuminated one-line initials in gold alternating on a red-orange or deep blue ground.
Printed by Gilles Hardouyn & hand-painted in the workshop of Germain Hardouyn - brother of the printer & a highly skilled illuminator. Paris (Use of Rome), c. 1518.
Noted for its DECORATIVE BORDERS - the paneled surrounds are historiated (containing identifiable scenes or figures) or inhabited forms including Saints Veronica and Mary Magdalene.
The two-line illuminated “L” begins Psalm 147 complete (King James 147: 12-20: “Lauda...” (Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem: praise thy God, O Sion. Because he hath strengthened the bolts of thy gates, he hath blessed thy children within thee…).
The two-line illuminated “A” begins Ecclesiasticus (KJ Sirach) 24:14: “Ab initio…” (From the beginning, & before the world, was I created, & unto the world to come I shall not cease to be, & in the holy dwelling place I have ministered before him).
The next two-line illuminated “A” begins the hymn Ave Maris Stella (Hail, O Star of the ocean, God's own Mother blest, ever sinless Virgin, gate of heav'nly rest…).
The two-line illuminated “M” begins the Magnificat – Luke 1: 46-55: “Magnificat…” (My soul doth magnify the Lord. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmade; for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed…).
Presented in an archival 14x11'' mat
