Bifolium Breviary leaves - continuous - c 1475 France

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Original continuous bifolium leaves from a medieval manuscript Breviary.  31 lines written in Latin in double columns with dark brown and red ink on animal vellum. (Each leaf: 183 x 135mm – 7 3/8 x 5 ¼’’) 

Thirteen two-line illuminated initials alternating in red & white or blue & white, ten with a floral interior, & three with 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 “R” begins the hymn:  “Rerum…” (O Strength and Stay upholding all creation Who ever dost Thyself unmoved abide, yet day by day the light in due gradation from hour to hour though all its changes guide…).

The two-line illuminated “M” begins Psalm 118 (King James 119) 129-136: “Mirabilia…” (Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore my soul hath sought them…).

The two-line illuminated “I” continues 137-144: “Iustus…” (Thou art just, O Lord: & thy judgment is right…).

The two-line illuminated “C” continues 145-152: “Clamavi…” (I cried with my whole heart, hear me, O Lord…).

The two-line illuminated “V” continues 153-160: “Vide…” (See my humiliation & deliver me…).

The two-line illuminated “P” continues 161-168: “Principes…” (Princes have persecuted me without cause…).

The two-line illuminated “A” continues 169-176: “Appropinquet…” (Let my supplication, O Lord, come near in thy sight…).

The two-line illuminated “A” begins Psalm 141 (KJ 142) complete: “Ad dominum…” (I cried to the Lord with my voice: with my voice I made supplication to the Lord…). 

The two-line illuminated “L” begins Psalm 120 (KJ 121) complete: “Levavi…” (I have lifted up my eyes to the mountains, from whence help shall come to me…).

The two-line illuminated “I” begins hymn: “Immense…” (O great creator of the sky, Who wouldest not the floods on high with earthly water to confound, but madist the firmament their bound…).

Presented in an archival 11 x 14'' mat

  • Inventory# IM-11923
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