A Medieval Book of Hours Leaf c 1450 - Sarum Use - Psalms

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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’’) 

Two illuminated two-line initials 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.

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 one-line illuminated “C” begins Psalm 118 (King James 119) 79-80: “Convertantur…” (Let them that fear thee turn to me: and they that know thy testimonies.  Let my heart be undefiled in thy justifications, that I may not be confounded.).

The two-line illuminated “D” continues verses 81-88: “Defecit…” (My soul hath fainted after thy salvation: and in thy word I have very much hoped…).

The two-line illuminated “I” continues verses 89-94: “In eternum…” (Forever, O Lord, thy word standeth firm in heaven.  Thy truth unto all generations: thou hast founded the earth, and it continueth. By thy ordinance the day goeth on: for all things serve thee. Unless thy law had be my mediation, I had then perhaps perished in my abjection…).

Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat

  • Inventory# IM-11630
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