Original continuous bifolium (two leaves – four pages) from a manuscript Book of Hours. 25 lines of text, ruled in red, written in Latin in angular gothic book-hand script on animal vellum.
One two-line illuminated initial in blue and white on gold ground; eighty-one illuminated one-line initials and seventy-one illuminated line-extenders in gold on a red or blue ground.
Unusual vibrant and elaborate panel borders in colorful floral (including strawberries – symbol of perfect righteousness) and gemstone motif on a gold, blue or rich sable ground.
France: Rouen (Use of Rouen) c. 1490-1510.
Style and execution of the miniature paintings in the parent manuscript are closely related to the Master of the Geneva Latini (see Walter 224 & 233 for examples).
The two-line illuminated “K” begins the Litany of the Saints (first prescribed by Pope Gregory in 590 for a public thanksgiving following a plague that ravaged Rome): “Kyrie…” (Lord have mercy upon us…). Names of saints are listed with each invocation followed by the abbreviation for “ora pro nobis” (Pray for us). Among the saints listed are Michael (patron of battles), Gabriel (patron of broadcaster), Raphael (patron of physicians), Peter (patron of fishermen), Paul (patron of tent makers), John (patron of theologians), Matthew (patron of accountants), Luke (patron of butchers, bookbinders, painters & surgeons), Lawrence (patron of tanners & cooks), Vincent (patron of charitable societies), Valentine (patron of beekeepers & affianced couples), and Martin (patron of soldiers).
(Each leaf: 160 x 115mm – 6 ¼ x 4 ½’’)
