Original leaf from a medieval manuscript Bible. Latin gothic minuscule script, hand-written in brown ink, on animal vellum. (197x134mm – 7 ¾ x 5 3/8’’)
Eight multi-line illuminated initials alternating in deep blue with elaborate red penwork, and red with elaborate blue penwork - extending in to the margins. 55 lines of text in double columns (10 lines per inch!).
Produced in France (Paris), circa 1240 AD - from an early "portable" bible without numbering of the individual psalms.
The two-line illuminated “E” begins Psalm 60 (KJ 61) complete: “Exaudi…” (Hear, O God, my supplication: be attentive to my prayer…).
The two-line illuminated “N” begins Psalm 61 (KJ 62) complete: “Nonne…” (Shall not my soul be subject to God…).
The two-line illuminated “D” begins Psalm 62 (KJ 63) complete: “Deus…” (O God, my God, to thee do I watch at break of day…).
The two-line illuminated “E” begins Psalm 63 (KJ 64) complete: “Exaudi…” (Hear, O God my prayer…).
The two-line illuminated “T” begins Psalm 64 (KJ 65) complete: “Te decet…” (A hymn, O God, becometh thee…).
The multi-line illuminated “I” begins Psalm 65 (KJ 66) complete: “Jubilate…” (Shout with joy to God, all the earth…).
The two-line illuminated “D” begins Psalm 66 (KJ 67) complete: “Deus…” (May God have mercy on us, and bless us: may he cause the light of his countenance to shine upon us, and may he have mercy on us. That we may know thy way upon the earth: thy salvation in all nations…).
The two-line illuminated “E” begins Psalm 67 (KJ 68) 1-30: “Exurgat…” (Let God arise, and let his enemies be scattered…).
Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat
This leaf is from a “portable” Bible of the Crusades period & would have been used in abstract study of theology or preaching of the Gospel around the medieval countryside.
