Original leaf from a printed & hand-illuminated Book of Hours. Twenty-eight lines of ruled Latin text, printed in red & black on animal vellum.(178 x 115mm – 7 x 4 ½’’)
Three illuminated two-line initials and numerous illuminated one-line initials in gold alternating on a red-orange or deep blue ground.
Printed by Gilles Hardouyn & hand-painted in the workshop of Germain Hardouyn - brother of the printer & a highly skilled illuminator. Paris (Use of Rome), c. 1518.
Noted for its DECORATIVE BORDERS - the paneled surrounds are historiated (containing identifiable scenes or figures) or inhabited.
The two-line illuminated “D” begins Psalm 22 (King James 23) complete: “Dominus regit…” (The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever).
The two-line illuminated “A” begins Psalm 24 (KJ 25) 1-12: “Ad te…” (To thee, O Lord, have I lifted up my soul…).
Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat
