Original leaf from a medieval Psalter. 18 lines of ruled Latin text, written in gothic liturgical bookhand script on animal vellum. (150x108mm)
One two-line initial in heavy burnished gold with blue & gold infill & extending along the left margin in burnished gold on blue & pink ground with delicate white tracery; sixteen one-line initials alternating in blue with red pen-work, and burnished gold with blue pen-work (many extending into the margin).
French Flanders, c. 1275-1300.
The first illuminated ''N'' begins Psalm 139 (King James 140) 8-14: ''Domine domine…'' (O Lord, Lord, the strength of my salvation: thou hast overshadowed my head in the day of battle…as for the just, they shall give glory to thy name: and the upright shall dwell with thy countenance).
The two-line illuminated ''D'' begins Psalm 140 (KJ 141) 1-9: ''Domine clamavi…'' (I have cried to thee, O Lord, hear me: hearken to my voice…).
The devout were expected to engage in a series of daily devotions, structured around the reading of Psalms. In the Middle Ages all 150 psalms were to be recited daily, but as this proved impractical, the sequence was restructured to encompass a full week!
Shipped in archival 14x11'' mat.
