Medieval Book of Hours - c 1475 - Dutch - St Sebastian

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Original leaf from a medieval manuscript Book of Hours. 17 lines of ruled gothic textura script, written in Dutch with dark brown ink, on animal vellum. (148 x 100mm – 5 ¾ x 4’’) .  A scarce and attractive leaf with some rubbing to the vellum and to the illumination at upper center,

Rubrics (headings) in red.  One six-line illuminated initial in burnished gold with pink and white interior on a blue ground with white penwork; two-two-line illuminated initials in burnished gold on pink and blue ground; illuminated bar flanks verso text along left margin in burnished gold; top and bottom recto margins are illuminated in a graceful floral and vine design in burnished gold, red, green and blue.

Netherlands, c. 1475

This leaf is from the section of Suffrages - prayers to saints who were considered the protectors, helpers and guardians of medieval people.   The illuminated “O” begins the section devoted to St. Sebastian (3rd century martyr and patron saint of archers and soldiers): “O heilige…” (O holy martyr Sebastian…).

The Dutch (Low Countries) were the first to break the tradition of using Latin in Prayer Books and Books of Hours.  In England, France and Italy, Latin continued to be the primary liturgical language throughout the 1400’s.

Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat

  • Inventory# IM-11690
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