Medieval Book of Hours Leaf c 1450 - Elaborate Initial

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Original leaf from a medieval manuscript Book of Hours. 18 lines of text, ruled in red, written in Latin with dark brown ink & red rubrics in fine gothic script on animal vellum.(158 x 112mm – 6 ¼ x 4 3/8’’) 

One illuminated four-line initial in burnished gold on a pink and blue ground with delicate white penwork; One illuminated two-line initial in burnished gold on red and blue ground with delicate white penwork; fourteen illuminated one-line initials alternating in deep blue with delicate red penwork and burnished gold with delicate violet penwork. A burnished gold bar adjacent to a burnished gold, blue and pink bar run the length of the text ending with a rinceaux style spray of flowers and leaves in pink, red, blue, green and burnished gold.

Flanders (Use of Sarum), c. 1450 – produced to follow the English rites, for the English market. The Litany of the Saints from this book listed several Saints associated with Britain, including George (patron of Britain), Swithin (Bishop of Westminster), Eusebius (martyred Irish Benedictine), Burinus (Apostle of Wessex), and Julian (early English Martyr).

The illuminated four-line “B” begins Psalm 118 (King James 119) 1-8: “Beati…” (Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. Blessed are they that search his testimonies: that seek him with their whole heart…).

The two-line illuminated “I” continues Psalm 118 (KJ 119) 9-13: “In quo…” (By what doth a young man correct his way? By observing thy words.  With my whole heart have I sought after thee: let me not stray from thy commandments.  Thy words have I hidden in my heart that I may not sin against thee…).

Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat

  • Inventory# IM-11625
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