1450-75 Book of Hours Leaf - Psalms - Elegant Border

$0.00

Original leaf from an illuminated medieval manuscript Book of Hours. 15 lines of hand-ruled text written in Latin on animal vellum in brown ink. (184 x 125mm – 7 ¼ x 4 7/8’’) 

Extensively illluminated with One two-line illuminated initial and twelve one-line illuminated initials in burnished gold on red and blue ground with delicate white penwork. The panel borders contain a highly decorative floral design with flowers, berries, and acanthus leaves in blue, red, green, pink, and burnished gold.                

France (Anjou), Use of Angers, c. 1450-75.

The one-line illuminated “O” begins Psalm 24 (King James 25) 15-22: “Oculi…” (My eyes are ever towards the Lord: for he shall pluck my feet out of the snare.  Look thou upon me, and have mercy on me; for I am alone and poor. The troubles of my heart are multiplied: deliver me from my necessities. See my abjection and my labor; and forgive me all my sins. Consider my enemies for they are multiplied, and have hated me with an unjust hatred. Keep thou my soul and deliver me: I shall not be ashamed, for I have hoped in thee…).

The two-line illuminated “D” begins Psalm 26 (KJ 27) 1-3: ‘Dominus…” (The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the protector of my life: of whom shall I be afraid…).

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.

A beautiful leaf !  Fine calligraphy and illumination in superb condition.

Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat

  • Inventory# IM-12698
Sold Out