Original leaf from a medieval manuscript Book of Hours. 15 lines, of red-ruled French text written in dark brown ink, in fine gothic script on animal vellum. (155 x 105mm).
Three two-line illuminated initials, three illuminated one-line initials and four line-extenders in gold on blue and red ground with delicate white penwork. Rinceaux panel border decoration with burnished gold ivy leaves and a floral motif in red, pink, blue, green and burnished gold.
France (Paris or Loire Valley), c. 1440-60.
This leaf commemorates of the Fifteen Joys of the Virgin: “Etres doulce dame…” The prayer was one of the most popular of all accessory prayers – especially in fifteenth century France. Each of the 15 sections is divided into two parts, first a direct address to Mary, recalling one of her joyous moments as the mother of Christ, and then asking her to intercede for the salvation of the praying soul.
This is one of the very few leaves written in French – once the prayer was completed, the text reverted to Latin.
Books of Hours are personal prayer books of a devout and status-conscious society and are not only works of art, but cultural documents of their time. They reveal a unique combination of sacred and secular imagery - made of the finest materials, by the best craftsmen, for a small audience, which could both appreciate and afford them.
Shipped in archival 14x11'' mat.
