Original leaf 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. (178 x 125mm – 7 x 5’’)
One two-line illuminated initial, nineteen one-line illuminated initials and eleven 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 and geometric motif in red, green, blue and white on gold ground.
The one-line illuminated “A” begins Psalm 50 (King James 51) 11-21: “Averte…” (Turn away thy face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create a clean heart in me, O God: and renew a right spirit within my bowels. Cast me not away from thy face; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and strengthen me with a perfect spirit. I will teach the unjust thy ways, and the wicked shall be converted to thee…).
The two-line illuminated “D” begins Psalm 101 (KJ 102): 1-9: “Domine…” (Hear O Lord, my prayer: and 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. In what day so ever I shall call upon thee, hear me speedily…).
Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat
