Medieval Book of Hours Leaf c 1475 Italy - Psalms of Praise

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Original leaf from a diminutive medieval manuscript Book of Hours, probably for use by a lady.  19 lines of text, ruled in red, written in Latin with dark brown ink in gothic script on animal vellum. (108 x 75mm – 4 ¼ x 3’’) 

 Italy, c. 1475.

Two two-line illuminated initial in burnished gold with delicate violet penwork extending into the margin; eleven one-line illuminated initials alternating in deep blue and red.                                       

The illuminated “I” begins Psalm 99 (King James 100) complete: “Iubilate…” (Sing joyfully to God, all the earth: serve ye the Lord with gladness. Come in before his presence with exceeding great joy. Know ye that the Lord he is God: he made us, and not we ourselves.  We are his people and the sheep of his pasture…).

The illuminated “D” begins Psalm 62 (KJ 63) 1-9: “Deus…” (O God, my God, to thee to I watch at break of day. For thee my soul hath thirsted; for thee my flesh, O how many ways. In a desert land, and where there is no way, and no water: so in the sanctuary have I come before thee, to see thy power and thy glory…).

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 that could both appreciate and afford them.

Presented in an archival 14x11'' mat

  • Inventory# IM-11420
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