Original leaf from a medieval Book of Hours. 19 lines of ruled text, written in Dutch with dark brown ink in fine Gothic script, on animal vellum. (170 x 120mm – 6 5/8 x 4 ¾’’)
One two-line illuminated initial in burnished gold with blue interior and on a pink ground; eight one-line illuminated initials alternating in red and blue. Verso has a bar in burnished gold and a bar in pink and blue extending the length of the text ending with a delicate spray at top and bottom in burnished gold, blue, green and pink.
Netherlands, c. 1460.
The two-line illuminated “D” begins Psalm 22 (King James 23) 1-5 “ Die herr regiert…” (The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil: my cup runneth over…)
The Dutch (Low Countries) were the first to break the tradition of using Latin in Prayer Books and Books of Hours. In England, France and Italy, Latin continued to be the primary liturgical language throughout the 1400’s.
Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat
