Original leaf from a printed & hand-illuminated Book of Hours. Twenty-eight lines of ruled Latin text, printed in 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 the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and four of the seven angels with trumpets from the Apocalypse).
The two-line illuminate “D” begins: “Deus…” (O God, whose property is always to have mercy and to spare, receive our petitions, and grant that we and all Thy servants who are bound by the chain of sin, may, by the compassion of Thy goodness, mercifully be absolved…).
The two-line illuminated “M” begins Psalm 131 (King James 132) complete: “Memento…” (O Lord, remember David and all his meekness. How he swore to the Lord, he vowed a vow to the God of Jacob…).
The two-line illuminated “E” begins Psalm 132 (KJ 133) complete “Ecce…” (Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity…).
The next two-line illuminated “E” begins Psalm 133 (KJ 134) complete “Ecce…” (Behold now bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord…).
Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat
