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; Extensive rubricated text in red. (178 x 125mm – 7 x 5’’)
Four one-line paraphs in gold on deep blue ground.
France: Rouen, (Use of Rouen), c. 1470-90.
Unusual vibrant and elaborate panel borders on recto and verso in colorful floral motif in red, green, blue and white on gold ground.
The text continues the Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary: “Angelus domini…” (The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary; And she conceived of the Holy Spirit…). Line six, verso, begins the hymn: “O Admirabile Commercium…” (O admirable exchange: the creator of human-kind, taking on a living body was worthy to be born of a virgin, and, coming forth as a human without seed, has given us his deity in abundance). Line eleven, verso, begins: “Quando natus…” (When thou wast born all ineffably of a Virgin, then were the Scriptures fulfilled; thou camest down like the dew upon the fleece of wool, to bring salvation unto all mankind; we praise thee, O our God).
An attractive leaf , more than 525 years old, in outstanding condition, considering its age and devotional use. The extensive rubrication is particularly unusual.
Presented in an archval 14 x 11'' mat
