c 1450-70 Book of Hours Leaf - Psalms - Elaborate borders

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Original leaf from a medieval manuscript Book of Hours. 17 lines, of red-ruled Latin text written in dark brown ink, in fine gothic script on animal vellum. (178 x 122 mm - 7.1 x 4.9") 

Two two-line illuminated initials and thirteen illuminated one-line initials 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 (possibly Angers), c. 1450-70.

The two-line illuminated ''D'' begins Psalm 129 (King James 130) complete: ''De profundis...'' (Out of the depths I have cried to thee, O Lord: Lord hear my voice.  Let thy ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication...). 

The second two-line illuminated ''D'' begins Psalm 142 (KJ 143) 1-3: ''Domine...'' (Hear, O Lord, my prayer: give ear to my supplication in thy truth: hear me in thy justice.  And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight no man living shall be justified...).

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.

  • Inventory# IM-10744
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