Original leaf from a medieval illuminated 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 illuminated with Two two-line illuminated initial, five one-line illuminated initials and six 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 one-line illuminated “U” begins Psalm 127 (King James 128) 3-6: “Uxor…” (Thy wife as a fruitful vine, on the sides of thy house. Thy children as olive plants, rougn about the table. Behold thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord. May the Lord bless thee out of Sion: and mayst thou see the good things of Jerusalem all the days of thy life. And mayst thou see thy children’s children, peace upon Israel).
The two-line illuminated “F” begins: “Felix…” (For thou art happy, O holy Virgin Mary, and art worthy of all praise, for out of thee arose the Sun of justice, Christ our God…).
The two-line illuminated “G” begins: “Graciam…” (Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts…).
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 lovely leaf more than 550 years old, in excellent condition.
Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat
