Original leaf from a richly illuminated manuscript Psalter - Prayer-book. 19-21 lines of Latin text. Written in unusual gothic cursive script on animal vellum. (165 x 135mm - 6.6 x 5.4") (For sister leaves see The Blackburn Collection of Manuscript Illuminations, The Cleveland Museum of Art).
North Germany, (Hildesheim?) c. 1524.
Four three-line illuminated initials in gold or silver on blue, red or rust ground with gold or silver tracery. Sixteen one-line illuminated initials in gold or silver on blue, red or rust ground.
Elaborate panel borders with full gold ground, strewn with diverse floral motifs (including a strawberry – symbol of perfect righteousness) – plus putto holding a bouquet of flowers, and a bird (young European roller) balancing on the stem of a flower.
The illuminated “B” continues the Psalter of the Blessed Virgin Mary composed by St. Bonaventure (Psalm 84-87): “Benedixisti…” (O Lady, thou hast blessed thy house: thou hast consecrated thy dwelling).
The illuminated “I” begins: “Inclina…” (Incline thine ear, O Lady, and hear me…).
The illuminated “F” begins: “Fundamenta…” (The foundations of life in the sould of the just: are to preserve in charity unto the end…).
The illuminated “D” begins: “Domina…” (Lady, thou are the helper of my salvation…).
This highly personalized prayer-book was written and illuminated in Germany, as evidenced by the painted Arms of Mansfeld (a prominent North German family) on a leaf, and the inclusion of St. Godehard (d. 1038), bishop of Hildesheim, portrayed as a miniature on another leaf. Two leaves of the parent manuscript were dated 1524.
