Original leaf from a manuscript Book of Hours. 15 lines of hand-ruled text written in Latin on animal vellum in brown ink with rubrics in red.(184 x 125mm – 7 ¼ x 4 7/8’’)
One three-line historiated initial in blue, red & white with an internal painting on burnished gold, one three-line illuminated initial, one two-line illuminated initial, nine one-line illuminated initials & four illuminated line-extenders in burnished gold on red & blue ground with delicate white penwork.
France (Anjou), Use of Angers, c. 1450-75.
Elaborate full border (recto) is a dense floral motif in red, blue, pink, green, liquid & burnished gold, with two amusing drolleries in right & lower margins. Panel border (verso) contains highly decorative floral design with flowers, berries, & acanthus leaves in blue, red, green, pink, & burnished gold.
The historiated initial depicts The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Virgin Mary, wearing blue robes, kneels on a green tiled floor with hands clasped. She is blessed by enthroned Christ
The historiated “C” begins the Hour of Compline: “Converte nos…” (Convert us O God our savior. And avert thine ire from us…).
The two-line illuminated “U” begins Psalm 12 (King James 13) complete: “Usquequo…” (How long, O Lord, wilt thou forget me…My heart shall rejoice in thy salvation: I will sing to the Lord, who giveth me good things: yea I will sing to the name of the Lord most high).
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
