Original leaf from a medieval manuscript Book of Hours. 12 lines of ruled text, written in Latin with dark brown ink & red rubrics in lettre batarde script on animal vellum. (133 x 90mm – 5 ¼ x 3 ½’’)
One three-line illuminated initial, and two two-line illuminated initials in deep blue and white on a sepia ground with delicate gold penwork; four one-line illuminated initials alternating in blue and white, and red and white on a sepia ground with delicate gold penwork; text surrounded on three sides by a burnished gold bar. Delicate rinceaux border (recto) in red, blue, brown and green with burnished and brushed gold. Within the border are strawberries (symbol of perfect righteousness), and a bird resting on a branch in the right margin!
France (Paris?), c. 1485
This leaf begins the Hours of the Virgin – Hour of Terce. The three-line illuminated “D” begins: “Deus…” (Incline unto my aid O God. O Lord make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be world without end. Amen).
The two-line illuminated “M” begins the hymn Memento Salutis (Remember, O Creator Lord, that in the Virgin's sacred womb Thou wast conceived, and of her flesh didst our mortality assume. Mother of grace, O Mary blest, to thee, sweet fount of love, we fly; shield us through life, and take us hence to thy dear bosom when we die. O Jesu! born of Mary bright! Immortal glory be to Thee; praise to the Father infinite).
Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat
