Original leaf from a medieval manuscript Psalter-Hours. 20 lines of ruled Latin text, beautifully written with black ink on animal vellum by an accomplished scribe.. (132 X 95mm – 5 1/8 X 3 ¾’')
France (Metz), c. 1300 - over 700 years old!
One three-line illuminated initial blue and white with a wonderful whimsical creature within the initial in pink, blue and orange, all resting on a burnished gold ground and extending into the margin in pink and burnished gold; one multi-line initial in burnished gold on a pink and white ground extending into the margin; two two-line illuminated initials in burnished gold on a pink and blue ground with delicate white penwork; ; twenty-one one-line illuminated initials alternating in burnished gold with delicate blue penwork and deep blue with delicate red penwork.
The elaborate three-line illuminated “D” begins: “Deus…” (Incline unto my aid O God. O Lord make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be world without end).
The two-line illuminated “D” begins Psalm 96 (King James 97) complete: “Dominus…” (The Lord hath reigned, let the earth rejoice: let many islands be glad. Clouds and darkness are round about him: justice and judgment are the establishment of his throne…).
The multi-line illuminated “I” begins Psalm 99 (KJ 100) complete: “Iubilate…” (Sing joyfully to God all the earth: serve ye the Lord with gladness…).
The two-line illuminated “D” begins Psalm 62 (KJ 63) 1-8: “Deus…” (O God, my God, to thee do I watch at break of day. For thee my soul hath thirsted; for thee my flesh, O how many ways…).
Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat
