Original leaf from a medieval manuscript Book of Hours. 12 lines of ruled text, written in Latin with dark brown ink & in lettre batarde script on animal vellum. (133 x 90mm – 5 ¼ x 3 ½’’)
Four one-line illuminated initials alternating in blue and white, and red and white on a sepia ground with delicate gold penwork.
France (Paris?), c. 1485
This leaf continues the Hours of the Virgin - Hour of Matins. The one-line illuminated “Q” begins Psalm 94 (King James 95) 3-7: “Quoniam…” (For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. For in his hand are all the ends of the earth: and the heights of the mountains are his. For the sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. Come let us adore and fall down: and weep before the Lord that made us. For he is the Lord our God: and we are the People of his pasture and the sheep of his hand).
The one-line illuminated “A” begins: “Ave maria…” (Hail Mary full of grace: the Lord is with thee). The one-line illuminated “H” continues Psalm 94: (KJ 95) 8: “Hodie…” (Today if you shall hear his voice…)
Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat