Original leaf from a manuscript Book of Hours. 15 lines of hand-ruled text written in French on animal vellum in brown ink. (184 x 125mm – 7 ¼ x 4 7/8’’)
Two two-line illuminated initials, two one-line illuminated initials and four line extender in burnished gold on red and blue ground with delicate white penwork.
The panel borders contain a highly decorative floral design with flowers (including columbines – symbol of the Holy Spirit), berries, and acanthus leaves in blue, red, green, pink, and burnished gold.
France (Anjou), Use of Angers, c. 1450-75.
The two-line illuminated “B” continues the popular 15th century prayer: The Seven Requests to our Lord with requests three & four: “Biau sir dieu…” (Good Lord God, look upon me with pity in honor of that consideration you showed…).
Angers was the cradle of the Plantagenet dynasty and one of the intellectual centers of Europe during the reign of Rene of Anjou, (1434-80). When this leaf was scribed the two branches of the Plantagenet dynasty, House of Lancaster & House of York, were engaged in the War of the Roses.
Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat
