Original leaf from a printed & hand-illuminated Book of Hours. Ruled Latin text (French beneath side panels) printed in black on animal vellum.(168 x 105mm - 6.7 x 4.2")
Initials & line-endings illuminated by hand in gold, blue and/or red. Noted for its DECORATIVE BORDERS - the paneled surrounds are historiated or inhabited forms - executed by Philippe Pigouchet.
Published by Simon Vostre in Paris (Use of Rouen) c. 1506.
The side panels include wonderful fanciful creatures, a snail, ape and rooster, and a man playing a bagpipe!
This leaf continues the Suffrages of the Saints. Suffrages attest to the deep personal connection between saints and ordinary people. Interior panels depict Saints Claudius and Anthony.
At St. Claudius begins: "De sancto Claudio..." (Of Saint Claudius. O consoler of the desolate, freer of captives, resurrection to the dead, light to the blind, hearing to the deaf, speech to the mute, teacher of sailors, healer of the weak and faint, a refuge of the healing art, a road for those who go astray, and the deliverance of all who hope in thee; O blessed Claudius, kindly confessor , pray for us to God...).
At St. Anthony: "De sancto Anthonio..." (Of Saint Anthony. Renowned shepherd Anthony, who restoreth the crucified, and destroyeth healthful maladies, and quencheth the heat of the fire, O Holy Father, pray to the Lord on behalf of us unhappy ones. Pray for us, blessed father Anthony. That we be made worthy...).
Presented in an archival 14x11'' mat
