Original leaf from a manuscript Book of Hours. 25 lines of text, ruled in red, written in Latin in angular gothic book-hand script on animal vellum. (160 x 115mm – 6 ¼ x 4 ½’’)
Rubrics in red. One two-line illuminated initial in gray and white on a gold ground with floral infill; fifteen illuminated one-line initials and fourteen illuminated line-extenders in gold on a red or blue ground. Unusual vibrant and elaborate panel borders in colorful floral, gemstone and geometric motif on a gold or deep blue ground – with a whimsical dragon-like creature dancing on an acanthus leaf!
France: Rouen(Use of Rouen) c. 1490-1510.
Style and execution of the miniature paintings in the parent manuscript are closely related to the Master of the Geneva Latini (see Walter 224 & 233 for examples).
The one-line illuminated “Q” begins Psalm 8: 4-10: “Quoniam…” (For I will behold thy heavens, the works of thy fingers: the moon and the stars which thou hast founded. What is man that thou art mindful of him? Or the son of man that thou visitest him? Thou hast made him a little less than the angels, thou hast crowned him with glory and honor and hast set him over the works of thy hands…).
The two-line illuminated “C” begins Psalm 18 (King James 19) 1-9: “Celi…” (The heavens show forth the glory of God, and the firmament declareth the work of his hands. Day to day uttereth speech, and night to night showeth knowledge. There are no speeches nor languages, where their voices are not heard. Their sound hath gone forth into all the earth: and their words unto the ends of the world…).
Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat
