Original leaf from a medieval manuscript Book of Hours. 12 lines of ruled text, written in Latin with dark brown ink & red rubrics in lettre batarde script on animal vellum. (133 x 90mm – 5 ¼ x 3 ½’’)
One two-line illuminated initial in deep blue and white on a sepia ground with delicate gold penwork; eight one-line illuminated initials alternating in blue and white, and red and white on a sepia ground with delicate gold penwork.
France (Paris?), c. 1485
This leaf continues the Hours of the Virgin – Hour of Compline. The one-line illuminated “D” begins Psalm 128 (King James 129) 7-8: “De quo…” (Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand: nor he that gathereth sheaves his bosom. And they that passed by have not said: The blessing of the Lord be upon you: we have blessed you in the name of the Lord).
The two-line illuminated “D” begins Psalm 129 (KJ 130) 1-4: “De profundis…” (Out of the depths I have cried to thee O Lord: Lord hear my voice. Let thy ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication. If thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities: Lord, who shall stand it. For with thee there is merciful forgiveness…).
Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat