Original leaf from a medieval manuscript Book of Hours. 12 lines of ruled text, written in Latin with dark brown ink in lettre batarde script on animal vellum. (133 x 90mm – 5 ¼ x 3 ½’’)
One two-line illuminated initial in deep blue and white on a sepia ground with delicate gold penwork; eleven one-line illuminated initials alternating in blue and white, and red and white on a sepia ground with delicate gold penwork.
France (Paris?), c. 1485
This leaf continues the Hours of the Virgin – Hour of Compline. The one-line illuminated “A” begins Psalm 129 (King James 130) 6-8: “A custodia…” (From the morning watch even until night, let Israel hope in the Lord. Because with the Lord there is mercy: and with him plentiful redemption. And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities).
The two-line illuminated “D” begins Psalm 130 (KJ 131) complete: “Domine…” (Lord my heart is not exalted: nor are my eyes lofty. Neither have I walked in great matters, nor in wonderful things above me. If I was not humbly minded, but exalted my soul: As a child that is weaned is towards his mother, so reward in my soul. Let Israel hope in the Lord, from henceforth now and forever).
Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat
