Original leaf from a miniature medieval manuscript Book of Hours. 13 lines of ruled text, written in Latin with dark brown ink & red rubrics in fine rounded gothic script on animal vellum. (136 x 90mm) .
One two-line illuminated initial in deep blue with intricate red penwork internally and extending along the margin. Nine one-line illuminated initials alternating in burnished gold with intricate violet penwork, and deep blue with intricate red penwork.
Scribed in Italy (possibly Padua), c. 1490-1500 – Italian Books of Hours are relatively scarce.
The one-line illuminated ''I'' begins Psalm 101 (King James 102) 26-29: ''Inicio...'' (In the beginning, O Lord, thou foundedst the earth: and the heavens are the works of thy hands. They shall perish but thou remainest: and all of them shall grow old like a garment: And as a vesture thou shalt change them, and they shall be changed. But thou art always the selfsame, and thy years shall not fail. The children of thy servants shall continue: and their seed shall be directed forever).
The two-line illuminated ''D'' begins Psalm 129 (KJ 130) 1-4: ''De profundis...'' (Out of the depths I have cried to thee, O Lord: Lord, hear my voice...).
Provenance: ex Ferdinand Roten Gallery.
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.
