Original leaf from a medieval manuscript Book of Hours. 16 lines of text, ruled in red, written in Latin with dark brown ink & red rubrics in fine gothic script on animal vellum.(124 x 90mm).
Three illuminated two-line initials in burnished gold on red and blue ground with delicate white penwork; one illuminated one-line initial in deep blue with delicate red penwork; numerous initials heightened with red.
Flanders, c. 1450 – produced to follow the English rites, for the English market.
The two-line illuminated ''A'' begins: ''Ave...'' (Hail, true body born of the Virgin Mary, Who truly suffered, sacrificed on the Cross for man, Whose pierced side overflowed with water and blood, Be for us a foretaste In the test of death).
The third two-line illuminated ''A'' begins: ''Anima...'' (Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, inebriate me. Water from the side of Christ, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. O good Jesus, hear me. Within Thy wounds, hide me. Separated from Thee let me never be.
From the malignant enemy, defend me. At the hour of death, call me. To come to Thee, bid me, That I may praise Thee in the company Of Thy Saints, for all eternity...).
Books of Hours are personal prayer books of a devout, status-conscious society. They are both works of art & cultural documents of their time. They are made of the finest materials, by the best craftsmen, for a small audience that could both appreciate and afford them.
Shipped in archival 14x11'' mat.
