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 two-line initial in burnished gold on red and blue ground with delicate white penwork; twelve illuminated one-line initials alternating in deep blue with delicate red penwork and burnished gold with delicate violet penwork.
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 two-line illuminated “D” begins Psalm 138 (King James 139) 1-13: “Domine…” (Lord, thou hast proved me, and known me: thou hast known my sitting down, and my rising up. Thou hast understood my thoughts afar off: my path and my line thou hast searched out. And thou hast foreseen all my ways: for there is no speech in my tongue. Behold, O Lord, thou hat known all things, the last and those of old: thou hast formed me, and hast laid thy hand upon me. Thy knowledge is become wonderful to me: it is high, and I cannot reach to it. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy face? If I ascend into heaven, thou art there: if I descend into hell, thou art present…).
Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat
