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’’)
Two two-line illuminated initials, three one-line illuminated initials and seven line extenders 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 two-line illuminated “P” begins: “Paradisi porta…” (The gate of heaven was shut to all by Eve, but by thee, Blessed Virgin Mary, it was opened once again).
The two-line illuminated “D” begins: “Deus qui…” (O God, who, by the fruitful virginity of blessed Mary, hast bestowed upon mankind the reward of eternal salvation: grant, we beseech Thee, that we may experience her intercession, through whom we have been made worthy to receive the author of life).
The one-line illuminated “H” begins: “Hora prima…” (They our Lord to Pilate led at the hour of prime, And by witnesses full false accused much of crime, His hands tied they beat Him with fists in great despite, They upon God's face do spit the heaven's grateful light…).
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
