Original leaf from a medieval manuscript Book of Hours. 15 lines of red-ruled Latin text, in dark brown ink, on animal vellum. (197 x 138 mm - 7.9 x 5.5").
One two-line illuminated initial in blue with delicate white penwork & an interior floral design in red, blue and orange on a burnished gold ground, & extending into the margin with a rinceaux floral design in red, blue & burnished gold.; one one-line illuminated on red & blue ground with delicate white penwork.
The text is surrounded on 3 sides with an elegant rinceaux panel border in a delicate floral motif with ivy leaves in red, blue, green, orange & burnished gold. One illuminated bar extends beyond the length of the text in red, blue & burnished gold.
Northern France (Paris), c. 1420-40.
The two-line illuminated "O" begins a 10th century prayer: "O Beata Maria..." (O blessed Virgin Mary, who can worthily repay thee thy just dues of praise and thanksgiving, thou who by the wondrous assent of thy will didst rescue a fallen world? What songs of praise can our weak human nature recite in thy honor, since it is by thy intervention alone that it has found the way to restoration? Accept, then, such poor thanks as we have here to offer, though they be unequal to thy merits; and, receiving our vows, obtain by thy prayers the remission of our offenses).
Shipped in archival 14x11'' mat.
