Original leaf from a medieval manuscript Breviary. 31 lines written in Latin in double columns with dark brown and red ink on animal vellum.(183 x 135mm – 7 3/8 x 5 ¼’’)
Seven two-line illuminated initials alternating in red and white or blue and white, with a floral or geometric interior - all on a burnished gold ground extending into the margin with a delicate rinceaux border in red, blue, green, yellow burnished gold; numerous one-line illuminated initials alternating in dark blue with delicate red penwork and burnished gold with delicate violet penwork – many extending into the margins.
France, c. 1475.
The two-line illuminated “L” begins Psalm 121 (King James 122) complete: “Letatus…” (I rejoiced at the things that were said to me: We shall go into the house of the Lord…).
The two-line illuminated “A” begins Psalm 122 (KJ 123) complete: “Ad te…” (To thee have I lifted up my eyes, who dwellest in heaven…). T
he two-line illuminated “N” begins Psalm 123 (KJ 124) complete: “Nisi…” (If it had not been that the Lord was with us, let Israel now say…).
The two-line illuminated “Q” begins Psalm 124 (KJ 125) complete: “Qui…” (They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Sion…).
The two-line illuminated “I” begins Psalm 125 (KJ 126) complete: “In convertendo…” (When the Lord brought back the captivity of Sion, we became like men comforted…).
The two-line illuminated “T” begins a 6th century hymn: “Telluris ingens Conditor…” (Earth’s mighty Maker, whose command raised from the sea the solid land; and drove each billowy heap away, and bade the earth stand firm for aye: That so, with flowers of golden hue, the seeds of each it might renew; and fruit-trees bearing fruit might yield, and pleasant pasture of the field: Our spirit's rankling wounds efface with dewy freshness of Thy grace: that grief may cleanse each deed of ill, and o'er each lust may triumph still. Let every soul Thy law obey, and keep from every evil way; rejoice each promised good to win, and flee from every mortal sin).
Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat
