A c1440 Medieval Hours Leaf - Gloriosa Domina - Canticle Zachary

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Original 550 year old leaf from a medieval manuscript Book of Hours. 16 lines of ruled gothic textura script, written in Latin with dark brown ink, on animal vellum. (183 x 138mm – 7 ¼ x 5 3/8’’). Attractive leaf from a larger than usual Book  of Hours - scribed in a very bold style.

One illuminated two-line initial in burnished gold on red and blue ground with delicate white penwork; nine illuminated one-line initials alternating in deep blue with delicate red penwork and burnished gold with delicate violet penwork.

Northern France (probably Paris), c. 1440.          

The text begins part of the first stanza of the 6th century hymn O Gloriosa domina: “Qui te creavit…” ([O heaven’s glorious mistress, enthroned above the starry sky]Thou feedest with thy sacred breast thy own Creator, Lord most high. What man had lost in hapless Eve, thy sacred womb to man restores, thou to the wretched here beneath hast opened Heaven's eternal doors. Hail, O refulgent Hall of light! Hail Gate august of Heaven's high King! Through thee redeemed to endless life, thy praise let all the nations sing. To the Father and the Spirit and to thy Son all glory be, who with a wondrous garment of graces encircled thee. Amen).

The two-line illuminated “B” begins The Canticle of Zachary – Luke 1: 68-75: “Benedictus…” (Blessed be the Lord God of Israel because he hath visited and wrought the redemption of his people: He hath raised up an horn of salvation to us, in the house of David his servant: As he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets, who are from the beginning: Salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us…). 

Presented in an archival 14x11'' mat

  • Inventory# IM-11401
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