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’’). Small hole in lower margin from when vellum was originally stretched.
Two two-line illuminated initials, thirty-eight one-line illuminated initials and twenty-nine 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.
The one-line illuminated “Q” begins Psalm 101 (King James 102): 10-29: “Quia…” (For I did eat ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping…).
The two-line illuminated “D” begins Psalm 129 (King James 130) complete: “De profundis…” (Out of the depths I have cried to thee, O Lord: Lord hear my voice. Let thy ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication. If thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities: Lord, who shall stand it. For with thee there is merciful forgiveness: and by reason of thy law, I have waited for thee, O Lord…).
The next two-line illuminated “D” begins Psalm 142 (KJ 143) 1-10: “Domine…” (Hear, O Lord, my prayer: give ear to my supplication in thy truth: hear me in thy justice. And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight no man living shall be justified. For the enemy hath persecuted my soul: he hath brought down my life to the earth…).
Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat
