Original leaf from a medieval manuscript Psalter. 15 lines of ruled text, written in Latin with dark brown ink on animal vellum. (100x73mm).
One two-line illuminated initial in burnished gold on a blue and red ground with delicate white tracery & extending into the margin with an ivy leaf design in burnished gold; eight one-line illuminated initials alternating in blue with red pen-work and burnished gold with violet pen-work.
France, c. 1425-50 (likely closer to 1425).
This leaf contains an abbreviated version of the Hour of Terce - Hours of the Virgin found in a Book of Hours.
The two-line illuminated ''D'' begins the hour: ''Deus...'' (Incline unto my aid O God). Only the opening of the hymn is found at the one-line illuminated ''M": "Memento...'' (Be mindful author of our health).
The one-line illuminated ''A'' is the opening of Psalm 119 (King James 120): ''Ad...'' (When I was in tribulation I cried to our Lord).
The next two one-line illuminated ''L's'' open Psalms 120 & 121 (KJ 121 & 122): ''Levavi...Letatus..'' (I have lifted up mine eyes...I rejoiced in those things). The leaf continues with the openings of prayers for the hour.
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!
Shipped in archival 14 x 11'' mat.
