Book of Hours Leaf in French - 15 Joys of the BVM 1450-75

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Original leaf from a medieval manuscript Book of Hours. 15 lines of text, ruled in red, written in medieval French with dark brown and red ink in gothic script on animal vellum.(205 x 150mm – 8 x 6’’) 

Three two-line illuminated initials, four one-line illuminated initials and eight illuminated line extenders in gold on a blue and red ground.                            

Northern France or French Flanders, c. 1450-75.

The two-line illuminated “E” begins “Etres doulce dame…” and continues the Fifteen Joys of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  The prayer was one of the most popular of all accessory prayers – especially in fifteenth century France. It celebrates the joyous moments of the Virgin’s life (Annunciation, Visitation, Immaculate Conception, Nativity, Adoration of the Shepherds…).

This is one of the very few leaves written in French – once the prayer was completed, the text reverted to Latin.

Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat

 

  • Inventory# IM-12060
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