A Book of Hours Leaf for English market - c 1450

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Original leaf from a medieval manuscript Book of Hours. 18 lines of text, ruled in red, written in Latin with dark brown ink & red rubrics in fine gothic script on animal vellum.(158 x 112mm – 6 ¼ x 4 3/8’’) 

Nineteen illuminated one-line initials alternating in deep blue with delicate red penwork and burnished gold with delicate violet penwork.

Flanders (Use of Sarum), c. 1450 – produced to follow the English rites, for the English market. The Litany of the Saints from this book listed several Saints associated with Britain, including George (patron of Britain), Swithin (Bishop of Westminster), Eusebius (martyred Irish Benedictine), Burinus (Apostle of Wessex), and Julian (early English Martyr).

This leaf is a portion the Psalter of St. Jerome an unusual inclusion. It is an abridgement of the entire Book of Psalms which could be recited in one day, for the benefit of those who, a result of illness or for the benefit of their endangered immortal souls, had taken a vow to perform this act every day. Jerome reportedly had been informed by an angel that this was a perfectly acceptable solution.

The one-line illuminated “D” begins a portion of Psalms 89 (King James 90), 101 (KJ 102), 108 (KJ 109) & 118: “Domine exaudi…” (Hear O Lord my prayer: & let my cry come to Thee. Turn not away Thy face from me. In the day when I am in trouble, incline Thy ear to me. On whatever day I call upon Thee, Hear me speedily. Call me not away in the midst of my days, through generation & generation of Thy years. But Thou, O Lord, do with me for Thy name’s sake: because Thy mercy is sweet. Do Thou deliver me, for I am poor & needy, & my heart is troubled within me. Like a shadow when it falls, I pass away. I am swept away like locusts. Help me, O Lord my God. Save me according to Thy mercy. Give bountifully to Thy servant that I may live & keep Thy words. Open my eyes & I will consider the wonders of Thy law. I am a sojourner in the land…). 

Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat

  • Inventory# IM-11986
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