Original leaf from a medieval manuscript Breviary. 31 lines written in Latin in double columns with dark brown and red ink. (183 x 135mm – 7 3/8 x 5 ¼’’)
Nine two-line illuminated initials alternating in red and white or blue and white, seven with a floral interior - all on a burnished gold ground, and seven extending into the margin with a delicate rinceaux border in red, blue, green, yellow burnished gold; one one-line illuminated initial in burnished gold with delicate violet penwork. France, c. 1475.
The two-line illuminated “T’ begins Genesis 2:15-19: “Tulit…” (And the Lord God took man, and put him into the paradise of pleasure, to dress it, and to keep it. And he commanded him, saying: Of every tree of paradise thou shalt eat: But of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat…).
The two-line illuminated “O” continues 2:19-20: “Omne enim…” (For whatsoever Adam called any living creature the same is its name…).
The two-line illuminated “I” begins 2:21-22: “Immisit…” (Then the Lord God cast a deep sleep upon Adam: and when he was fast asleep, he took one of his ribs, and filled up flesh for it. And the lord God built the rib which he took from Adam into a woman: and brought her to Adam…).
The two-line illuminated “E” is a scribal error and should be “D” continuing 2:23-24: “Eixitque (sic)” (And Adam said: This now is bone of my bones…Wherefore a man shall leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they shall be two in one flesh…).
The two-line illuminated “E” continues 2:25 – 3:3: “Erat…” (And they were both naked: to whit, Adam and his wife: and were not ashamed. Now the serpent was more subtle than any of the beasts of the earth which the Lord God had made…).
Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat
