Original leaf from a manuscript Book of Hours. 16 lines of text, ruled in red, written in Latin with dark brown ink in precise and elegant lettre batarde script on animal vellum. (95 x 70mm – 3 ¾ x 2 5/8’’)
Two two-line illuminated initials and seven one-line illuminated initials in burnished gold on blue and red ground, with delicate white tracery. The three-quarter panel borders on each side of the leaf contain an intricate floral motif in red, green, blue, and liquid and burnished gold.
France: Vicinity of Lyon, c. 1470.
The two-line illuminated “D” begins Psalm 66 (King James 67) complete: “Deus…” (May God have mercy on us, and bless us: may he cause the light of his countenance to shine upon us, and may he have mercy on us. That we may know thy way upon earth: thy salvation in all nations. Let people confess to thee, O God: let all people give praise to thee. Let the nations be glad and rejoice: for thou judgest the people with justice, and directest the nations upon earth. Let the people, O God, confess to thee: let all the people give praise to thee: the earth hath yielded her fruit. May god, our God bless us, may God bless us: and all the ends of the earth fear him).
The two-line illuminated “B” begins Daniel 3:57: “Benedicite…” (All the works of the Lord bless the Lord).
Sister leaf pictured and described in Ferrini Bulletin I, 1996, #27.
Presented in an archival 14 x11'' mat
