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; rubrics in red. (178 x 125mm – 7 x 5’’)
Three two-line illuminated initials, eighteen one-line illuminated initials and twelve 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 two-line illuminated “L” begins Psalm 112 (King James 113) complete: “Laudate…” (Praise the Lord, ye children: praise ye the name of the Lord. Blessed be the name of the Lord, from henceforth now and forever. From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the name of the Lord is worthy of praise. The Lord is high above all nations; and his glory above the heavens. Who is as the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high: and looketh down on the low things in heaven and in earth? Raising up the needy from the earth…).
The next two-line illuminated “L” begins Psalm 121 (KJ 122) complete: “Letatus…” (I rejoiced at the things that were said to me: We shall go into the house of the Lord. Our feet were standing in thy courts, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem, which is built as a city, which is compact together…).
The two-line illuminated “N” opens Psalm 126 (KJ 127): “Nisi…” (Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. Unless the Lord keep the city, he watcheth in vain that keepeth it).
A very attractive medieval leaf in exceptional condition with extensive use of fresh bold colors and gold, and well-known biblical passages.
Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat
