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’’)
One two-line illuminated initial, nineteen one-line illuminated initials and fifteen 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 “A” begins Psalm 24 (King James 25) 1-18: “Ad te domine levavi…” (To thee, O Lord, have I lifted up my soul. In thee, O my God, I put my trust; let me not be ashamed. Neither let my enemies laugh at me: for none of them that wait on thee shall be confounded. Let all them be confounded that act unjust things without cause. Show, O Lord thy ways to me, and teach me thy paths. Direct me in thy truth, and teach me; for thou art God my Savior; and on thee have I waited all the day long. Remember, O Lord, thy bowels of compassion; and thy mercies that are from the beginning of the world. The sins of my youth and my ignorances do not remember. According to thy mercy remember thou me; for thy goodness’ sake, O Lord. The Lord is sweet and righteous: therefore he will give a law to sinners in the way. He will guide the mild in judgment: he will teach the meek his ways…).
Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat