Original continuous bifolium leaves from a manuscript Book of Hours. 24 lines of text, ruled in red, written in Latin in an elegant angular gothic book-hand script on animal vellum; rubrics in red. (Each leaf: 178 x 125mm – 7 x 5’’)
Six two-line illuminated initials, thirty one-line illuminated initials and nineteen illuminated line-extenders in gold on red or blue ground.
France: Rouen, (Use of Rouen) c. 1470-90.
Unusual vibrant and elaborate panel borders on recto and verso in colorful floral (including strawberries – symbol of perfect righteousness, and grapes – symbol of Christ’s Passion) and geometric motif in red, green, blue and white on gold ground.
This leaf continues the Hours of the Virgin – Hour of Vespers. The two-line illuminated “L” begins Psalm 147: 1-7 (King James 147: 12-20): “Lauda…” (Praise the Lord O Jerusalem: praise thy God, O Sion…).
The second two-line illuminated “A” begins the popular medieval hymn Ave Maris Stella: “Ave…” (Hail, O Star of the ocean, God's own Mother blest, ever sinless Virgin, gate of heavenly rest. Taking that sweet Ave, which from Gabriel came, peace confirm within us, changing Eve's name…).
The two-line illuminated “M” begins the Magnificat or Canticle of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Luke 1:46-55: “Magnificat…” (My soul doth magnify the Lord. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid; for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed…).
The two-line illuminated “C” begins: “Concede…” (O Lord God we beseech thee grant us thy servants to enjoy perpetual health of mind and body: and by the glorious intercession of the ever Blessed Virgin Mary, to be delivered from this present sorrow, and to enjoy gladness everlasting…).
Presented in an archival 11 x 14'' mat
